CONTENTS July I August 2000 Vol. 45, No.4 XAS· Editorial - Why Survey? 83

Cave Exploration, Cave Conservation 84

Cave Surveying The Sketcher's Burden 86 THE TEXAS CAVER is a bi-monthly publication of the Texas Setting Stations 88 Speleological Association (TSA), an internal organization Survey Standards for Colorado Bend 89 of the National Speleological Society (NSS). Principles of Measurement 90 Subscriptiorl rates are $27/year for six issues of THE TEXAS CAVER. This includes membership in the TSA. Book Reviews - Survey Books 93 Out-of-state subscribers, libraries, and other institutions may receive THE TEXAS CAVER for $20/year. Equipment - Survey Instruments 94 Back issues are available at the cost of $3.00 per issue. Send all correspondence (other than material for THE Project Reports TEXAS CAVER), subscriptions, and exchanges to: Bustamante 96 Charco 97 THE TEXA$ CAVER P.O. Box 8026 Austin, TX 78713 Accident Report - 0-9 Well 97

Exchanges should be mailed to THE TEXAS CAVER at t'a, Trip Reports above address. THE TEXAS CAVER will exchan. Caving in Paradise 98 newsletters with other grottos. Finally, Fitton! 100 0-9 Well 103 Submissions to THE TEXAS CAVER should be sentto the editors at the following address: The Bifocaled Caver 104 Joe Ivy & Rebecca Jones Vertical Techniques - Self-Belay Treadmill 105 11916 Bluebonnet Manchaca, TX 78652 [email protected] From the Files of the TSS 106 We encourage YOU to participate in this publication. Lost Caves of Texas - Culberson County 107 Please see page 111 for Submission Guidelines. TSANews Spring Convention 2000 108 Opinions expressed in the THE TEXAS CAVER are solely Spring Business Meeting 110 those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those opinons held by the editors, the TSA, its members, or the NSS. Grotto Reports 107 THE TEXAS CAVER is produced by the Texas Speleological Association © Copyright 2000 by the Texas Speleological Association. Editors: Joe Ivy & Rebecca Jones Internal organizations of the NSS may reprint any item Proot Readers: Katie Arens first appearing in THE TEXAS CAVER as long as proper This issue is made possible by those who contributed material: credit is given and a copy of the newsletter containing Aaron Addison, Melonie Alspaugh, Robin Barber, Aimee Beveridge, Rune the reprinted material is mailed to the TSA. Other Burnett, Tom Dotter, Jerry Fant, Butch Fralia, John Ganter, Joe Ivy, James organizations should contact the TSA about reprint. Jasek, Rebecca Jones, Jim Kennedy, Orion Knox, Bill Mixon, Nancy materials. Pistole, William Russell, Troy Shelton, Benjamin Starr, Cathy Winfrey, & Ed Young ON THE COVER: Val Schmidt having fun on a survey in Pumphouse Cave, Illinois. Aaron Addison photo. ON THE BACK: Robin Barber, Becky Jones, Walter Feaster and Bonnie Longley (L-R) peer down the entrance shaft of 0-9 Well. Aimee Beveridge photo. The Editors Say... Letters to the Editors

Of the Texas cavers questioned last Fall Joe& Becky, that it is possible to get a license to carry a at TCR, 45% said that survey is the focus The [May/June] issue is really great. handgun, those who carry one and do not of most of their cave trips. Amazingly, 48% Brings back memories of the old days when have a license are in for a lot of trouble. of this survey is of known, previously sur- the TC had a lot of meat in each issue. Also, many do not know this, but a law veyed caves. This implies that about 20% The only thing that I noticed that should that allows someone to carry a handgun in of the time Texas cavers have underground have been left out was number 6 on page Texas is not worth a dime in other states. is spent duplicating effort. 55. [Reasons to cave in Texas; "You can When you leave Texas, be damn sure you Survey standards have risen consider- bring your gun."] Ranchers hate someone do not have any guns in your car and this ably in the last 30 years. Considering new to fire a gun on their property without first includes rifles and or shotguns. There are equipment and techniques, resurveying a getting approval. Then, how does one ask many states that carrying a handgun even known cave can produce valuable informa- for this privilege in the first place? To me, with a license is a direct trip to jail. It is tion or lead to new discoveries. this is stepping' out of line. We are on the not worth the risk. On the other hand, an informal poll of property to go caving, not to shoot our - Jim Jasek project leaders indicates that much of the weapons. I'm a Yankee, and J gel uncomfortable when resurvey done in Texas today isn't focused I am Likeeveryone else who loves guns, I stop to think about how many of the people on updating decades-old maps, but on gath- and finding a good place to shoot today is around me have guns as a matter of course. It sort offreaks me out. ering basic, usable information to replace next to impossible, so I can understand this The comment that Texas caving is enhanced statement. A gun is something that we flawed original data. Imagine the survey because" You can. bring your gun, " is funny - notes from your last trip thrown away be- should not have with us on a cave trip in just another of those Texas things J shrug off and cause they were so incomplete. Think about the first place. It is still legal to carry a rife shake my head at. Ang spending your next caving weekend or shotgun in our car or truck, but when it Interestingly, three of the four people who ~eating someone else's sloppy efforts. comes to a handgun, the rules change re- selected it are newcomers to Texas. As is, J be- Pretty lame, hugh? ally fast. lieve, a large percentage ojthe Texas caving com- So why bother to survey? . In Texas, now that we have the hand- munity, and the population in general . Obviously, it's the first step in making gun carry law, one had better have a license Jim makes a good point - clarifying someA thing that might not be as harmless as many a map. Surveying helps to document and if you happen to be stopped by a local sher- people believe. Hopefully, cavers who do have iff. You might have just bent over and kissed explain the cave. Cavers communicate with guns have a better understanding of gun law than maps, trip reports, and pictures. it goodbye. These people have no under- J do. Some cavers would say, they survey be- standing. - Becky Jones cause its fun. There's something enjoyable Within the city, it is illegal to carry a in going slowly, paying close attention to handgun even to a shooting range. This law the passage, learning a cave intimately. has been on the books for over a hundred Let's be honest though, sometimes years, but it is one the police clo not use to people survey because it's the only way to arrest everyone they catch.It is still legal to justify a caving trip. Sometimes cavers need carry a handgun when someone travels more to offer a map ( photographs, restoration than two counties away from your horne. It Reasons to Survey a Cave efforts, whatever) in return for cave access. is possible that if a caver gets stopped, for Land managers may put aside difficult dis- some dumb reason, and a handgun is found, 13. Becauseyou don't want to be ragged on for cussions of sport caving by prolonging the they might be able to talk their way out of being a sport caver,contributing nothing to the resource evaluation stage. Both cavers and any arrest. Maybe not. Iam not willing to caver community except endless solicitations managers may be content to limit access to take the chaoce. I stopped carryiog a hand- for guided trips to the coolest caves complete "serious cavers" who "contribute." Many gun in my car years ago. with babysitters, free food, and beer. agree that this is a weak argument, but an Within a city, it is also legal to carry a 12. How else are you going to convince the acceptable compromise. gun when money is transferred to the bank landowner to Jet you into his cave or the park via the shortest route. The gun must be Dragging out a survey project may pro- serviceto let you go off-trail? ng a caving opportunity. Similarly, lack taken back to the home or the business . • productivity can threaten cave access. At There is no other case to carry a handgun 1.1. So you'll know the fastest way out when the very least, consistently poor survey re- legally io the city unless you have a hand- you hit your golden years and Nature doesn't sults diminish the overall caving experi- gun license. wait for anyone. ence. Is it worth the time and effort to do a I don't mean to jump on you about this, poor job of surveying? but I just thought you should know what Look for the top ten reasons to survey in the next issue of The TexasCaver. - Beck the laws are in case you are unaware. Now

THE TEXAS CAVEN 83 Cave Exploration, Cave Conservation: Some Thoughts on Compatability John H. Ganter - months or years. At some point, a distinct THE DIVERSE CAVING COMMUNITY and exciting breakout may occur, or with no One of the most striking aspects of the returns the effort may simply trail off. organized caving community is the diver- Throughout. motivation in the face of UD- sity of people who choose to belong-to call certain odds must be maintained and even themselves cavers. We include the seden- with rewards much misery may have to be tary newsletter reader, the twice-a-year cave endured in exploration and mapping. The visitor, the deep explorer dragging a camp Producer must be a manager, patiently re- .",--. cruiting assistance and scheduling in this mixture is a curiosity about work. Special talent may be brought caves, both existing and unknown. in from great distances to tackle Together we wait expectantly for specific obstacles. Dealings with new discoveries. Whether directly the cave owners or stewards are of- or vicariously, we are all explorers, ten long-term and exceedingly deli- accepting and enjoying the pro- ceeds as one of the last terrestrial cate. Thus the Prod ucer often has a frontiers is pushed back. The caves massive investment of time, money, are never the same, because as we and emotion in a single ea explore we also destroy. Frontier is not a renewable resource. project: he or she may spend m The recognition that we wield a time on the telephone scheduling a double-edged sword has resulted trip than a Consumer spends in the in a kind of group schizophrenia. cave. In this context, we can see the Some argue for totalitarian control: potential for misunderstandings. caves are sacred and must be com- The obstacle that sends the Con- pletely preserved from the boots of sumers out for a beer wi II likely send allcavers. Others rebel and become the Producer out for other things. outlaws at the slightest attempt to Digging or blasting are simply more regulate or even influence their be- steps towards the goal-exploring havior. The majority stand between the cave. these two extremes, painfully aware The Producer has to be persis- Becky Jones admires soda straws & helectites in Cueva de la tent. Imagine a dig project going on that we are in danger of loving our Puente, Mexico. Joe Ivy photo. caves to death. In this essay Iana- for a couple of years, far from home, lyze our behavior and beliefs in exploring come from, rather like the urban child who consuming weekends and holidays-all for and knowing caves, making a distinction thinks food comes from the supermarket. the slim chance of reward. And then imag- between individuals who accept caves as Caves, the naive Consumer believes, come ine that you are in the lucky few percent given and those who actively reveal caves from friends, or Guidebooks, or the Grotto. that succeed: a huge breakout occurs! Now, to us. As we will see, thi.ssimplification may cause everyone wants to help. Hundreds of cavers THE CONSUl\iIER AND THE PRODUCER turrnoiI when the Consumer is made aware from across the country and around the One of the most fundamental causes of that consumption is not without cost. world pour in to Consume. Where were they caver schizophrenia is the division between The cave Producer derives many of the when work needed to be done? Today, two broad classes of cavers: those who en- same satisfactions as the Consumer but Lechuguilla Cave has been seen by millions joy known caves and those who explore and these come from a much more involved on television and in national magazines. Few describe new caves. Many of us fit into both unknown and risky endeavor. The Produce; understand that all of it-the formations, the classes, yet each extreme has a different begins with a potential cave or passage, huge boreholes, the unprecedented insi' view of the same problems and it is here often a lead found through research and into the Capitan Reef, the re-thinking ofou» ...... that misunderstandings may arise. fieldwork. Intensive work commences, of- theories of speleogenesis-was made pos- The pure Consumer is interested in do- ten a long-term investment of time and sible by a handful of cavers taking a risk ing caves; their concept of 'a cave' is tied money with an uncertain outcome. Locat- and destroying a portion of the cave. to visitation. He or she engages in a physi- ing an entrance (or extension), passage DAMAGE PREVENTION cal and psychological excursion, carrying enlargement, and route-finding may take To Ourcredit, organized cavers have re-

84 TN£ TEXAS CAVEll .,IIIIII !III!II!!II!III!II!!II!III!II!!II~~~~!"""""!'==

JULY/AUGUST2000 euctantly admitted our guilt in damaging states forcefully that he "abhor[s] willful, about effects on the ecosystem as a unit, caves. As Consumers, this often stems from malicious vandalism of any kind." the whole web which supports the whole our enthusiasm in introducing those with a Yet our m..ixedfeelings about cave pro- population, not a concentrated blast that demonstrated interested in caves to the re- duction continue, and they are most evident eliminates a few individuals. ality of a trip underground. Often we are so where blasting is concerned. Then there are the endangered species, preoccupied with the details of lights, climb- BLASTING IN CAVE EXPLORATION those whose habitats have been so ravaged ing, not getting lost, wearing the proper For the most part, our ideas about blow- that a single cave may be all that they have clothes and shoes, etc. that we neglect what ing things up come from Hollywood. But left. In these caves we don't blast. (Natu- is much more difficult to talk about: caving these theatrics have little to do witl, blast- rally, the Producer must be vigilant in new softly. It is this "extra bit of caves, so that potentially awareness and focus" significant organisms or which makes it possible to populations can be exam- be a Consumer without be- ined by qualified individu- ing a destroyer. als and protected if neces- Unfortunately, it ap- sary.) pears that many experi- In the coming years we enced cavers are destruc- will repeatedly hesitate at tive. Technical competence caving thresholds, and we or even prowess does not will probably redefine necessarily imply restraint them. New technology win and the ability to cave bring new capabilities for softly. Many can power creation and destruction. their way up, down, over We will question and de- and through obstacles like bate whether we have gone climbs, drops, water, even too far. This is a healthy eleothem.s, but low~im- and necessary dialogue. • act cavrng requires Author's Note: This is complementary skins and Fire in the hole! Two Emulex charges placed to make a cave entrance passable. a condensed version de- outlook. It requires disci- Becky Jones photo. veloped for The Texas pline, awareness and planning. The experi- ing in caves. Hollywood does not really ex- Caver. The whole essay appeared in the enced caver who goes off of an established plode things - it burns them rapidly. Gaso- October 1989 NSS News. For the complete trail can cause dispersed damage over wide line and oil produce orange towers of smoke text and photos, go to http://www.nerve- areas, instantly negating the care of hun- and flames. By contrast, cave blasting is net.com/jg/c/pubs/ or do a web search on dreds of predecessors. quick, quiet and clean. the title. CAVE PRODUCTION Often, we are concerned about the ef- Since as Consumers we often behave so feets ofbJasting on the animals inhabiting a irresponsibly (and perhaps even irratio- cave. For discussion purposes these can nally), it is not surprising that upon recog- be divided into those that commute out- nizing growing cave damage, we sometimes side (bats and other mammals, mostly) and do strange things like blaming Producers. whose presence can be observed, and per- The TSA website has moved! In some ways this is not surprising, because manent residents. Obviously, the effects of indeed the Producer does destroy and it is blasting on bats and other mammals varies TheTSA website is now at: always part of the story. Destruction by Con- from destruction at close range, to disturbed www.texascavers.com/tsa sumers--dispersed, chronic and cumula- sleep at the range of the blasters, to peace- tive-is not newsworthy so we don't think ful slumber out of earshot. Blasting must The TSA website is being funded about it. always be scheduled for times when these Jim Smith is one of the few explorers to occupants are not at home, particularly if by your donations and internet have told it like it is, in national and interna- caving is seasonally regulated to protect e-mail addresses purchased by tional publications. Not only does Smith talk the population. If in doubt, knowledgable Texas cavers. frankly about repeated aid-climbing and persons must be contacted for assistance Get your own texascavers.com ...Ii.lasting in No Business Blowing Cave, but in assessing the situation. address today and let everyone _sidebar explains his feelings on the price Then there are the smaller beasts, the know you're a Texas Caver. Follow that must be paid (NSS News, Sept. 1988). amphibians and invertebrates. If we sacri- this link and see how easy it is. He points out, "There has to be a tradeoff fice a few common worms or insects, who between conservation and exploration. Oth- cares? No need to get distraught in the cave, www.texascavers.com/ erwise, new frontiers will never be pushed." because installing one guardrail on the in- Sm..ithcomments that he preserves forma- terstate highway we drove there on killed a e-mail.htm tions with great care whenever possible, and lot more. Instead we need to be concerned THE T/,"XAS CAVER 85 The Sketcher's Burden Joe Ivy has experience just to get on the trip. Then readable? Is the tape in one piece? Does he Most cavers think about the sketcher the team gets in the cave and it turns out have extra pencils and enough paper for the on a survey crew as someone who has an that the instrument reader has only looked trip? The sketcher must make sure that he artistic bent and therefore ends up doing through Suuntos once but hasn't ever ac- knows what's going on with the particular book by default because no one else will. tually surveyed with them. You laugh, but project he's working on. Does he know what This is a natural tendency if a bit asinine. there've been many survey trips end up the survey standards are for that project [see It's because of this attitude, held by both . unproductive or with bad data because of CBSP Standards, p.89]? Does he know where survey team members and the sketchers this. When in doubt, require your team mem- the end of survey is and how to get there? themselves, that many surveys end up be- bers to demonstrate their proficiency. This Then, the sketcher must make sure that al1 ing miserable experiences for everyone con- doesn't take very long and certainly takes of the survey crewmembers are also in good cerned. And unfortunately, this can lead to less time than resurveying everything. Does working order. unusable survey data and the need for a the caver on lead resurvey. While tape know how to these lame survey set stations? trips can be really How hard can funny as their sto- that be? Wel1, if ries are told around you've ever tried the campfire, they to read instru- suck while they're ments from sta- occurring. The tions that had good news is that been set this is all avoid- puddles or und able. A survey can ledges just be- go quickly and ef- cause the ficiently if the schmuck on lead sketcher follows tape didn't know some basic guide- any better, you lines. After all, the realize quickly point of surveying that lead tape a cave is to gather does indeed have the information some skill associ- needed to pro- ated with the job. duce and publish [see Setting Sta- a map of that tions, p.88] So, cave. Aaron Addison sketches while Bill Stephens hangs out in Cueve Teeolote. Ray Keeler photo. the sketcher has First off, the set the stage for sketcher is not just a good survey trip by preparing the gear, some dark with a little artistic talent. The When a survey crew has already done a sketcher is the leader of the survey crew. lot of survey together, this isn't necessary. the tearn, and himself. Now what? Once in the cave, the sketcher has the Period. What the sketcher says, goes. Fur- But at projects like Colorado Bend and ther, the sketcher must have lots of experi- Powells all the way to Sistema Cheve and formidable job of recording an extremely ence reading instruments and setting sta- Sistema Huautla where all sorts of folks are three-dimensional thing, the cave, on a very tions. As the leader of the team, he must be thrown together, gauging the competency two-dimensional medium, a bunch of small able to provide guidance and advice to the of the crew is an absolute must. Just like a sheets of paper, in a legible manner. No easy other members of the team. With that lead- trip leader going to a vertical cave has to task to be sure! How does the sketcher do ership position come responsibilities that make sure that everyone going on the trip is this? There are lots of techniques for ac- begin well before the crew gets anywhere vertically competent, a sketcher must make complishing this task and none of them wil near the cave and ends long after everyone sure that his crew is survey competent. Does be covered here! It's enough to say that t the instrument reader know how to read the sketcher must record the cave to the stan- goes home. Before entering the cave, the sketcher instruments that are avai lable? Does the in- dards set by the project or himself, which- must make sure that the stage is set for a strument reader know how to read instru- ever is more thorough, The commonly ac- good survey trip. He needs to make certain ments at all? Just asking someone if he cepted standard is to have the plan, profile that al1 of the survey gear is present and knows what he's doing isn't sufficient. It's and cross-sections sketched to scale with functioning properly. Are the instruments not uncommon for someone to claim that he the numeric data presented in some orga- THE TEXAS CAVER 86 • JULY/AUGUST2000 survey. This is a reasonable pace and one .zed, readable format. The scale and format mation to give the map viewer a good idea used vary from area to area. However, the of what the cave is like. What if the map IS that still allows a good level of detail to be captured once the sketcher has a little expe- job of recording the cave is only part of the going to be dispJayed for millions of people job. The sketcher must also consider the well to see? A good example is the map of Natu- rience, Once the survey is complete, the survey being of his crew. ral Bridge Caverns by Orion Knox which is Well being of his crew? What kind of prominently displayed at the NBC Visitor crew goes home, but the sketcher's job isn't over yet. It is the sketcher's responsibility nonsense is this? Very crunchy and new age. Center. Then the greater detail may well be But what it translates to does make sense: worth it. But the sketcher should give the to draft the map ofthe cave in a timeJy fash- ion. The sooner, the better since it's best to the sketcher must sketch at a reasonable crew a break here. draft the map while the cave is still fresh in pace so that the crew doesn't get Orion has a great solution to this prob- nightmarishly bored or hypothermic. What's lem. He's been working on the map of Gruta the sketcher's mind. Within a week or two a reasonable pace? Assuming that the other del Palmito in Bustamante, Nuevo Leon, after the date of the survey is reasonable. On bigger caves, the sketcher should begin team members are competent, the survey Mexico, for quite some time and sketching crew should onJy need to spend about 8-12 to an extremely high level of detail. Orion a penciJ draft of the map and add to it as he minutes per survey station, l5 at the abso- goes in the cave on Saturday morning to returns from each trip. In the case of projects lute maximum. If the crew is spending less record the survey data with his crew and like CoJorado Bend where many small caves are being mapped, the sketcher should in- than eight minutes then either the passage doesn't sketch at all. Then, his crew leaves is remarkably simplistic (definitely a possi- to go do whatever they want to do and he sist on taking home a copy of the notes and bility in Honey Creek side leads) or the stays behind the rest of the weekend to draft the map even if he turned over the sketcher is not recording enoughinforrna- sketch what was surveyed. This level of notes to the project manager. Then the sketcher should draft the cave map and turn tion about the passage. detail is rarely necessary, but if the sketcher that in to the project manager as well. In the Jfthe crew is spending more than 15 min- decides to sketch in that manner, he needs case of a project like Powells utes at a station, a couple where many sketchers are work- of different things could ing on one cave, each sketcher be going on. One possi- should produce a penci I draft lity is that the crew at whatever scale the project • eeds to be setting more manager chooses and turn that stations. In large or com- in to the project manager within plex passage, a frequent a week or two. This way, when mistake made by sketch- the final big map is drafted, it ers is to try to fit too much will be a very simple process of passage in between sur- tracing over lots of pencil drafts vey points. If the passage i.nstead of having to start from is really that big, complex scratch with only the notes. or convoluted, the This sounds like a huge sketcher needs to have the amount of responsibility for one crew set more stations. person, but it really isn't all that This provides the sketcher much work. And it's a lot more with more information to work and hassle when the adequately represent a sketcher allows many pages complex passage on the and books of survey data to sketch and it keeps the Joe Ivy sketches in the stream passage, Cueva de la Puente, Mexico. stack up over the years and crew busy. Becky Jones photo then finally has to spend six Another possibility is months of his life drafting all ofthose oodles that the sketcher may be trying to capture to be considerate of his crew. of maps. I should know! Another purpose too much detail or striving to achieve greater The final possibility is that the sketcher of producing a map is that the map frequently "accuracy" in the sketch [see Principles of is simply inexperienced and struggling to shows where to look for virgin cave. Once Measurement, p.90]. One solution is for the do a good job with a skill that he is still try- the map is created, the sketcher can often sketcher to look at the big picture; that is, is ing to master. This is okay, But the novice see relationships between different pas- the greater detail really worth it? Is it worth sketcher should constantly strive for greater sages or caves not evident in the field that ~etching in every little stone and soda speed as well as greater quality. A good so- will point to where virgin cave is sure to be .raw to scale for a map of a small, one-room lution to this is to have the crew set more found. And that's what all this is about, isn't cave at Colorado Bend? What's the point of stations as mentioned earlier and for the that level of detail? Is the map going to be same reasons. If a sketcher is not very expe- it? ~ displayed at the Park visitor's center or at rienced, then the passage doesn't have to TPWD headquarters for millions of people be huge or very complex to be a challenge to see each year? Probably not. So the to sketch. No matter what, the sketcher sketcher should just record enough infor- should strive for 50 stations in 8 hours of .,~ 87 THE TEXAS CAVER s JULY/AUGUST2000 FEATURE Setting Stations Cathy Winfrey The Lead Tape person is responsible for look and you're in a cave. Use sufficient was "sporting" because he had to stand on setting the stations of the survey itself. This flagging tape to flag the station. If you have ball-bearing like stones while leaning side- means that every rock, piece of stal, wall tied flagging tape to a station, make sure ways, reading the scale with a wavering spot, or wherever you've set a station con- that it's secure before leaving. No one is light. tributes to the accuracy of the map of the happy when they arrive where the station The third station, well, just because the cave. What could be easier ... ? Tromp should be, the formations are hanging station-setter is 6' 3" tall does not mean that through the cave, pull the tape, mark the down, and the tape is lying on the floor of setting a station six feet above the passage station numbers, and that's it! Right? the passage, or worse, down between rocks floor is ok, particularly if your instrument Well, yes, and no. Novice cave survey- on the floor of the passage, or has fluttered reader is only 5'6". Stepladders are not con- ors and sometimes not-so-novice surveyors down that crevice off to the left. sidered standard gear for a survey team. often fail to realize the important role they I CAN'T READ INSTRUMENTS FROM HERE! So now you have to remember that the play in producing an accurate map of a cave. First off, no one ever says this. Failure person behind you not only has to see the If you set stations as described above, to read the instruments is not an option. station when you hold the light on it, but not you, but the OTHER members of your There is usually a lot of grumbling though. they have to be able to take an accurate read- survey team will have problems. Usually And then, when it's happened the fourth ing when they get up to it. There's more to the most vociferous complaints will be from or fifth time, there may be some vitupera- choosing a station than "Can you see this the person attempting to read the instru- tive yelling off into your direction. Here's ok?" Sometimes you don't have the choice ments. And in the spirit of democracy, he what has really been going on. of setting an optimum station. Sometimes or she is going to share those problems with You set a station, a good one, on a sta- that little pointy spot on the wall is all you. So what are the most common prob- lagmite; flagged it clearly, even if it was a you've got. But if you look around, you lems with stations? Let's listen to the com- bit short. The next station was set on a wall might find an alternative. Is there scm plaints for some clues. protuberance. Perfect spot for a station. The thing that produces a longer shot, or on Is THAT METERS OR FEET? next one was tied to a stalactite, hanging that may be easier to get an accurate read- Some survey tapes are two sided: meters down into the very center of the passage. ing from? on one side, feet on the other. This is handy What's wrong with these stations? Noth- WHY ARE YOU HERE WITH THAT TAPE? for folks who survey caves in different ing. In and of themselves they're great. It may seem obvious, but you have a tape projects or countries, but it can seriously Youjust forgot that someone has to take in your hand because your job is to mea- throw off the survey data (Probably ruin it azimuth and inclinations from them. That sure the cave. Yep. That's what a tape mea- completely!) if the distance is read in the means getting as close to the station as is sure helps one to do. What does one mea- wrong mode. Find out before the survey inhumanly possible, and being steady sure? Well, you measure the distances be- starts which measurement you are supposed enough to read a tiny scale with nothing tween things. What are those things? STA- to use, then when you read off the distance, but a hand light. TIONS ... What do they mark? Stations look again at the tape to insure that you're The stalagmite station was about three mark junctions, passages, static features, in- reading the numbers from the correct side, inches above the floor. The instrument per- teresting things (in the context of this cave), and report it as "seven feet, ten inches," son had to lie down flat on the passage floor, and so on. For example, you probably "seven point eight-three feet" (using feet and his eye was still four inches above the wouldn't set a station where someone found and tenths), or "two point three-nine actual station. Oh yes, the floor wasn't re- a millipede, hut you might want to set a meters." It's a good idea to include the scale ally a floor, but medium sized rocks with station at the pool with blind catfish. (meters or feet) so that the "Book" person all pointy corners. The passage was 30 So NOW WHAT? knows what to write down. (A good Book inches wide, and the instrument reader's You have all kinds of information to person will read it back to you to double thigh bones are 32 inches long. assist you in acquiring data for some of the check - and mistakes do happen!) The wall protuberance was perfect. It finest cave maps ever. You can read the tape WHERE'S THE NEXT STATION! was a good, straight shot back to the last accurately, sing out the distances so they Note that the question is stated in the station, a good height above the floor, and can be recorded correctly, and place stations form ofa demand. Unless you want to spend it was the only thing that really stood out along passages and walls that are not only a lot oftime tramping back to your last sta- on the wall. It actually presented a similar visible to the instrument reader, but pos- tion, take a care to set it both firmly and problem: the instrument reader's helmet sible to take the next shot from. And you'r visibly. [f the station is marked only by a wouldn't allow him to get close enough in developing a knack at where to set the sta- pebble holding a piece of flagging tape, to read the instruments. It was really diffi- tions tool make sure that the pebble is large enough cult getting the inclination because there Oh yes-and keep that tape straight! to HOLD the tape in place. It's also very was no room to hold the light source where difficult to spot a small piece of flagging it could light the scale and also not affect tape, especially if you don't know where to the readings. And getting a good reading

88 THE TEXAS CAVER JULYIAUGUST2000 ~ FEATURE Survey Standards for Colorado Bend Jerry Fant To better coordinate consistent survey data within the cave systems of Colorado Bend State Park, a set of standards have been adopted. These standards are to be followed in the sketchbook unless otherwise noted. 1 J ~M-= DATA RECORDING i At the beginning of each new survey, "I. l,' 'I, i' f' PUTJ'lf(il'L ,dA$I~t including multiple surveys in one cave 1 or multiple caves, the book should j 51~.e'~Lt' , .11,1 9 . f include the following: , tJ"~l..MI.~-I . ,. B.. I Cave name & SAB number ,8"~fJf'1""'1J?"I'" . Survey date 1!elo. N'tJ~klt/6t, 1[' ,A1A&-z:+l4JMtr Members ofsurvey team and their ..:fAA!""" 4pn 'i1"11 i!tl ' precise duties tr"~;r&1"'«s"''':;i1'''f4J '" Instruments used I'/"''''f]$\4 N"'. o;-!<~d¢ 4f"" Scale (meters, feetltenths, feetlinches) "I ,+ ~A~ ,M<"pf<' Data should be recorded as follows: ii 1ft ' 'f--:;'; t3':+'" t"'J?rr:Jtrt .Ii. .JIcI Station Numberl Distance I Azimuth I r Inclination I LeftlRight I UplDown When stations are shot as backsights, they should be marked "*,, or "BS," Sketches should correspond to the data _corded on the facing page, exceptions for nning profile, Notes (leads, biological material, archae- ology, etc.) should be recorded in the page with corresponding data.

SKETCHES All sketches should be drawn to scale, with scale indicated on each page of sketch. Scale is a judgment call, it should be larger than the scale of the finished map. With the size of most CPSP caves, a good rule of thumb is five meters to the inch or larger. Cross sections should be recorded at each station and at major changes in the cave's cross-section. A running profile, also drawn to scale, should accompany each sketch. All symbols should correspond to AMCS symbols unless otherwise noted in ~ the sketchbook. i. ', '1 . . 1. . , r ------~'- ~------, I .As with many other caving projects, inconsistent survey quality at CBSP has resulted in various problems - most seriously, notes I I which can't be used to draft a map and duplication of effort. .' I Without guidelines for recording information, survey data are prone to be incomplete, confusinq, or even useless. Tnis creates I a Situation where project work focuses on resolving questions, correcting blunders, or resurveying entire caves - not on actual ~ exploration that will be documented by maps. I I In order to ensure that the information collected is useful, most projects have established standards for bookkeeping. Standard- I I ized notes provide map drafters (who frequently haven't been in the cave and are unfamiliar with the personal quirks of each I I sketcher) all the necessary information in a consistent, easy-to-use format , I For another example of project survey standards, see what the National Park Service reqires at Carlsbad Caversn and Lechuquilla I LI on the LEARN website: www.redshiftcom/-mrosbrook/learn/index.htm ~

TIfE TEXAS CAVER 89 Principles of Measurement Ed Young "guestimate" quarter, sometimes eighths of only in the horizontal plane, the clinometers Exactly how to use surveying instru- degree hetween markings. Some may be bet- have the same precision. Other major errors ments is not within the scope of this sec- ter than others at this, but it is not good are introduced when we shoot bearings on tion. This section illustrates how to man- snrveying theory. Also, a person learned in age the errors inherent in measurements an incline, "eyeballing" where the imaginary line of the compass would intersect the tar- the ways of surveying, when viewing the taken from the instruments when they are data, will deduce that an instrument of used according to proper theory. You must get. Again, bad theory. greater precision was used, causing the re- have the appropriate training for the par- On the other hand, the tape measures suits of the survey to appear more accurate ticular type of instruments you may be us- we lise marked in hundredths of a foot can than it actually is. ing. The types of instruments referred to yield remarkable resnits of 0.48 feet out of BLUNDERS below are commonly used in cave survey- 3,000 feet. Just six inches! That is iflhe tape Human error. .. need I say more? Well, ing applications, typically the brand is used properly. OK, a few examples. I've heard manycavers Suunto® and a model, which the manufac- PROBABLE ERROR teaching cavers to survey say, "be careful turer refers to as a "Hand Bearing" com- Experience has shown that the best the offerrous objects like your eyeglass frames, pass. average person can do, with consistency, is buckles, etc." Then the next time I see the MAYIlE WE NEED ToR!lsuRVEY ••• to decide whether a measurement taken with students surveying, and they cannot seem How many times have you heard that? a graduated measuring instrument is more to obtain the proper reading, I freqnently Ever wonder why caves always need re- or less than half way between the marks on notice that they still have their eyeglasses surveying? Other than simply inventing the instrument. A measurement made with a on. Or something else ferrous on-or-about what sounds like a really good reason for tape measure marked in "hundredths" (0.01) their person deflecting the gomg caving, someone compass. Be cognizant ~ starts to notice that things these things at alltimes, n~) just don't add up from a pre- just at first during prepara- vious survey. So, a new group proposes and per- tion. I was totally con- forms a new survey, using founded when I could not the same principles and get a realistic reading on a techniques that were used particular survey. We on the original survey that looked everywhere for the they are attempting to verify. problem. Just as we where They complete their survey about to conclude that it with different results, and was the 01' classic "we must believe theirs to be correct. be over an iron ore deposit" Then when someone else theory, somebody saw it. starts to look at that survey An old telegraph wire run- they notice that things still Ding through the trees don't add up. So, they pro- about four feet above my pose and perform yet an- head. I could not believe other survey using the same that it had such a drastic type instruments and meth- effect on the reading. ods again. And so on. The worst cases are Problem is, the type of Allan Adams pulls tape over steel in Cueva de la Puent M . subtle. If one person is hav- compasses and clinometers e, eXICo. Joe Ivy photo. ing trouble "deciding" what typically used in cave surveying are sim- of ~,f~otcan only be read to a probable error their reading is, they might just figure the ply not precise enough to produce the re- of five thousandths" (0.005) of a foot reciprocal of what the other person shouted sults that some are expecting. Most mod- That's "one half' of the "one-hundredth'; to the person recording the data. The best els of compasses and clinometers used are gr.aduation marks shown on the tape. Like- of the worst was when r heard the perso marked in one-degree increments, yielding Wise, the probable error in a measurement recording the data (after hearing four or f a probable error of a half of a degree. Some made with an instrument such as a rnicreme- readings from the new person that was not models tout half-degree increments for ter marked in "thousandths" (0.001) f the reciprocal of the more experienced quarter of a degree precision. So, when we inch is "five ten-thonsandths" (O.OOO~) ~~ person's reading) say, "I need 43.5 degrees". an inch, etc. find that the end of a 3,000-foot passage is To which the new surveyor said, after a off by as much as 30 feet from what the map However, I have been on many surveys moment, "43.5 degrees." What was the real where I observe people t . says, we shouldn't be surprised. And that's rying to problem with the differing readings? Well,

90 THE TEXAS [AVf;R •• !II!I!!!!!!!!I!!!!I!!!I!!!!I!!!I!!!!I!!!1!!!!1!!!!!!!!!!!III------..,.,==.

JULY/AUGUST2000 .e'll neverknownow,will we? Likewise, the decimal that represents 1/8 has sandths, but in this example it is precise only New surveyors ... don't let anybody rush the value 0.125 and could be written just as to tenths. It is evident that the precision of a you. Experienced surveyors.. select your accurately with additional end zeros. Such sum is no greater than the precision of the teams appropriately and watch and help the numbers are said to be finite. Counting num- least precise addend. It can also be shown newcomers. Blunders must be eliminated! bers are finite. Dol1arsand cents are examples that the precision of a difference is no greater There is no place for blunders in surveying. of finite values. Thus, $10.25 and $5.00 are than the least precise number compared. PERCENTAGE OF ERROR finite values. To add the decimals that rep- To add or subtract numbers of different The accuracy of a measurement is deter- resents 1/8 and 1/2 it is not necessary to orders, all numbers should first be rounded mined by the RELATIVE ERROR. The rela- round off 0.125 to tenths. Thus, 0.5 + 0.125 off to the order of the least precise number. tive error is the ratio between the PROB- is added as fol1ows: In the previous example, 1.426 should be ABLE ERROR and the quantity being mea- roonded to tenths, that is, 1.4. sured. This ratio is simply the fraction formed 0.500 This rule also applies to repeating deci- by using the probable error as the numera- 0.125 mals. Since it is possible to round off a re- tor and the measurement itself as the de- 0.625 peating decimal at any desired point, the nominator. For example, suppose that a degree of precision desired should be de- single passage is found to be 3258.00 feet Notice that the end zeros were added to termined and all repeating decimals to be long, to the nearest hundredth of a foot. (The 0.5 to carry out the same number of places added should be rounded to this level. Thus, "point-zero-zero" in 3258.00 is significant in as 0.125. It is not necessary to write such to add the decimals generated by 1/3 (.3333), that they indicate the precision used in tak- place-holding zeros if the figures are kept 2/3 (.6666), and 5/12 (.4166) correct to thou- ing the measurement). The maximum prob- in the correct columns and decimal points sandths, first round off each decimal to thou- able error is five thousandths of a foot (one- are aligned. Decimals that have a definite sandths, and then add as follows: half of one hundredtb of a foot). The rela- fixed value may be added or subtracted al- tive error is found as follows: though they are of different order. .333 On the other hand, if the numbers re- .667 probable error 0.005 sult measurement of some kind, then the .417 .easured value 3258.00 question of how much to round off must be 1.417 decided in terms of the precision and accu- equals -.2 racy of the measurements. When a common fraction is used in re- 325,800 PRECISION cording the results of measurement, the de- The precision of an instrument depends nominator of the fraction indicates the de- Thus the relative error is .5 parts out of upon how precisely the instrument is greeof precision. For example, a ruler marked 325,800. marked. It is important to understand that in sixty-fourths of an inch has smaller divi- Now, stay with me here and don't get precision refers to the size of the smallest sions than one marked in sixteenths of an these two terms confused, this is the last division on the scale; it has nothing to do inch. Therefore, a measurement of 3 4/64 twist. RELATIVE ERROR is usually ex- with the correctness of those markings. To inches is more precise than a measure of 3 1/ pressed as PERCENT OF ERROR. So, di- say that one instrument is more precise than 16 inches, even though the two fractions vide the numerator by the denominator and anotber does not imply that the Jess precise are numerically equal. Remember that a mea- multiply by IOO to obtain the PERCENT instrument is poorly manufactured. In fact, surement of 3 4/64 inches contains a prob- OF ERROR, 0.00015%. And .00015% of it's possible to make an instrument with very able elTorof only one-half of one sixty-fourth 3258.00 is .49 feet. Again, this is IF the high apparent precision, yet mark it poorly of an inch. On the other hand, if the smallest proper techniques are applied while using so that measurements taken with it would division on the ruler is one-sixteenth of an the tape measure. be inaccurate. inch, then measurement of 3 1/16 inches contains a probable error of one thirty-sec- COMPUTATION WITH DECIMALS From the mathematical standpoint, the Computation with decimals frequently precision of a number resulting from mea- ond of an inch. involves the addition or subtraction of num- surement depends upon the number of deci- ACCURACY bers that do not have the same number of mal places; that is, a larger number of deci- Even though a measurement may be very decimal places. For example, we may want mal places indicate a smaller probable error, precise, it may not be very accurate. The to add 4.1 and 32.31582. Should zeros be In an instrument that measures in tenths, a accuracy of a measurement depends upon annexed t04.1 until it is of the same order as reading of2.3 inches has a probable error of the relative size of the probable error when the 32.31582? Or should 32.31582 be 0.05 inch, since 2.3 actually lies somewhere compared with the quantity being measured. For example, a distanceof25 yards on a pis- .. ounded off to tenths? Would the sum be between 2.25 and 2.35. In 1.426 inches there tol range may be measured carefully enough wcurate to tenths or hundred-thousandths? is a much smaller probable error of 0.0005 IT DEPENDS ON HOW WE ARRIVED AT inch. If we add 2.300 + 1.426 and get an an- to be correct to the nearest inch. Since there THESE NUMBERS. swer in thousandths, the answer, 3.726 are 900 inches in 25 yards, this measurement Some decimals are finite or are consid- inches, would appear to be precise to thou- is between 899.5 and 900.5 inches. When ered as such because of their use. For in- sandths; but this is not true since there was compared with the total of 900 inches, the stance, the decimal that represents I12, that a probable error oL05 in one of the addends. 0.5 inch probable error is not very great. Continued on p. 92 is 0.5, is as accurate at 0.5 as it is at 0:5000. Also, 2.300 appears to be precise to thou- 91 THE TEXAS CAVER

« JULY/AUGUST2000 for cave surveying. That's why it has bee I Continued from p. 91 MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISION generally accepted to only survey to the On the other hand, a length of pipe may When two numbers are multiplied, the level of precision that most of us do cur- be measured rather precisely and found to result often has several more digits than ei- rently. Even if you consider what some manu- be 3.2 inches long. The probable eror here is ther of the original factors. Division also fre- facturers call a "Pocket Transit", (really an 0.05 inch, and this measurement is thus more quently produces more digits in the quo- over grown compass) it looks very precise precise than that of the pistol range. To com- tient than the original data processed, if the at first glance, but check the specifications pare the accuracy of the two measurements, division is "carried out" to several places. and you'll see that it too has only one to • we note that 0.05 inch out of a total of 3.2 The result is a false impression of greater degree increments depending on the model. inches is the same as 0.5 inch out of 32 accuracy. To multiply or divide two approxi- lFWEHAVEA NEED FOR MOREAC- inches. Comparing this with the figure ob- mate numbers having an equal number of CURATE RESULTS WE MUST SURVEY tained in the other example (0.5 inch out of significant digits (4.746 x 7.847), round the 900), we conclude that the more precise mea- answer to the same number of digits USING MORE PRECISE INSTRUMENTS surement is actually the less accurate of the (37.241862 to 37.242). AND APPLY THE PROPER THEORY IN THEIR OPERATION. Otherwise we won't two measurements considered. If one of the original factors has more It is important to understand that the significant digits than the other (4.123 x get more accurate results, just different re- location of the decimal point has no bearing 4.12345) then round the more accurate num- sults. on the accuracy of the number. For example, berBEFORE multiplyi~.IT SHOULD BE 1.25 dollars represents exactly the same ROUNDED TO ONE MORE DIGIT than ap- Ref; Mathematics, Vol. 1, Bureau of amount of money as 125 cents. These are pears in the less accurate number (4.12345 Navel personnel, Navy training course, equally accurate ways of representing the to 4.1235); the extra digit protects the an- NAVPERS l0069-C, 1971 same quantity, despite the fact that the deci- swer from the effects of multiple rounding. mal point is placed differently. AFfER performing the multiplicati.on or di- PRACTICE PR08LEMS vision, round the result to the same number In each of the following problems, de- of digits as are shown in the Jess accurate of termine which number of each pair is more the original factors. 4.123 x4.1235 = 17.00119 accurate and which is more precise: rounded to 17.001. I. 3.72 inches 01'2,417 feet TRE BOTTOM LINE 2. 2.5 inches or 17.5 inches However, if the need for a precision sur- 3. 53/4 inches orl2 7/8 inches vey is that great, and you can get it in the 4. 34.2 seconds or 13 seconds cave, a surveyor's transit is the tool. These Answers: instruments reliably turn angles to one 1. 3.72 inches is more precise. minute of arc. Some of the newer electronic 2,417 feet is more accurate. models turn an incredible 20 seconds of arc! 2. The numbers are equally precise. Precision instruments such as transits are 17.5 inches is more accurate. very expensive, delicate and cumbersome 3. 127/8 inches is more precise and more accurate. 4. 34.2 seconds is more precise and more accurate. 2JROnnnUnL CALCULATION WITH APPROXIMATE TEKnS CnUERS' REURlOn NUMBERS ATTENTION ALL TCR PARTICIPANTS The concepts of precision and ANNOUNCING THE TCR 2000 T-SHIRT CONTEST accuracy form tbe basis for the rules that govern calculation with approxi- mate numbers (numbers resulting BEGINING---NOW! from measurement). ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION DESIGN UP TO 4 COLORS A sum or difference can never be FRONT ONLY more precise than the least precise CONCEPTUAL DRAWINGS ACCEPTABLE number in the calculation. Therefore, before adding or subtracting ap- PLnT CREEK RnnCH DEADLlNE----AUG. 31, 2000 proximate numbers, they should be OCTODER1999 2000 WINNER WILL RECEIVE A $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE AT TCR rounded to the same degree of preci- sion. The more precise numbers are CALL CHRISTA MCLELAND AT (512)441-4844 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION all rounded to the precision of the CALL CHRiS VREELAND AT(512)389-1709 FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION SEND ALL ENTRIES TO: TCR T-SHIRT CONTEST least precise number in the group of 314 W. MOCKINGBIRD LN. measurements. AUSnN, TX. 76745

92 THE TEXAS CAVER q

JULY!AUGUST2000 , BOOK REVIEWS Surveying Books Bill Mixon The Art of Cave Mapping On Station. A Complete Handbook for the maps demonstrate more than anything Kenneth C. Thompson and Robert L. Surveying and Mapping Caves. George else the hazards of reducing a map too much. Taylor. 1991.Volume 31 of Missouri Dasher. National Speleological Society; There is a potentially useful set of comments Speleology, journal of the Missouri 1994. 240 pp hardbound. about each example map, but not one reader Speleological Survey, St. Louis. 182 pp, in ten will pay attention, since they aren't plastic comb bound. This was a painful book to read. I had printed together with the maps. reviewed it in 1988 and decided it was Not everyone will be as put off as I am This is an extensively revised edition unpublishable. Since it did get published, I by the deficiencies of On Station as a book, of the authors' earlier An Introduction to hoped that much tender loving care had and Jean 't honestly say that reading it will Cave Mapping, which was part of vol- been lavished on it during the intervening ruin anyone's cave-mapping career. But it ume 21 of Missouri Speleology, published six years. But I guess it's true what they is not, except in unimportant but expen- in 1981.In fact, considering the more com- say about making a silk purse outof a sow's sive ways like the numerous photos, the pact type, the new edition is about twice ear. I don't know what happened to the hard cover, and the color dust jacket, supe- as long. It is a thorough introduction to manuscript during that time, but it obvi- rior to some existing cave-mapping books cave mapping, from taking the data ously didn't include getting read by any- in English, Bryan Ellis's lnrroduction to through drafting the final map. Besides one who knows that it's and NSS' aren't Cave Surveying (British Cave Research describing in detail the usual methods, it proper possessive forms. The book is dis- Association, 1988) and Thomson and also contains information on specialized organized and often ungrammatical. The Taylor's The Art of Cave Mapping (Mis- techniques, such as plane-table surveys instructions are frequently confusing and souri Speleological Survey, 1991), both of _ and the use of "cave radios" for locating sometimes conspicuously incomplete. The which are available from the NSS and other Anderground points from the surface. NSS has disgraced itself by publishing this. cave-book stores for less. On Station did ~The longest cave I know of that was sur- That said, I must admit that there is not not need to be published. veyed by plane-table and adidade is much in the book that, once deciphered, This review originally appeared in The Wyandotte.) The book is modern enough will lead the would-be surveyor or mapper Texas Caver, September 1994. to recorrunend sketching to scale, but the astray. (The aficionados call the process of authors' long experience shows in their gathering data "surveying" and the process Now Available from description of the shadow method of of drawing the map "mapping.") Cave map- The TSA Book Store: Brunton surveying, a recently neglected pers are at least as bad as vertical cavers at technique that is still, in my vie, the best thinking their pet techniques are the only for measuring azimuths in caves where the correct ones, so I'm sure the experts will A GUIDE To shots are not all nearly horizontal. They come up with their lists of quibbles, as I do erroneously claim that the shadow could. But technically it really isn't bad. CAVE MAPPING method requires a tripod. The Missouri The first section covers collecting the origin of the book is perhaps responsible data, with chapters on various team mem- for a relative lack of discussion about pre- bers. This section also includes a chapter dominantly vertical or very extensive on how to determine the surface location caves, but a beginning cave mapper will of the cave. A second section covers pro- find all he needs to know, and quite a bit cessing the data, which can range from just more, in this book. Most prolific cave sur- converting slope and distances to horizon- John Ganter veyors have very particular notions about tal distances for plotting a small cave with how it should be done, and most of them protractor and ruler to elaborate loop-clos- will probably quibble about some of the ing algorithms performed on a computer. The things in the book. Be warned though, third section covers drawing the map, both Get your copy now for just $5. that every few pages there is something making the draft and inking and lettering that is just plain wrong. Fortunately, most the final version. (The illustrations in the ftheSe things are not important, and they chapter on making the map were obviously The Art of Cave Mapping is available from Speleobooks for $18. On Station is • on't' keep it from being the best large not made using the techniques described book readily available on the subject. there; they look like final versions to me.) available from Speleobooks for $16 or the Reprinted from the NSS News, March Appendices include several sets of cave- NSS Bookstore for $16 ($17 Non-members). 1993. map symbols, a glossary of terms (I hadn't Bryan Ellis's Introduction to Cave Survey. been aware that cf. was a technical term), ing is available from Speleobooks for $4 or and a set of 28 example maps. A number of the NSS Bookstore for $6.

TN£!: TEXAS CAVER 93 JULY/AUGUST2000

THE INOUISITION Suunto Twin Rebecca Jones What: The Suunto Twin read the top of the dial. This eliminates some There's no sighting chanuel to hold wa- Prismatic Compass/Clinometer of the problems that standard instruments ter. There's no need to worry about sealing Pros: Compact; Easy to read. present. the Twin. If it fogs, pouring some clean wa- Cons: Different technique to read. Since the prism sticks up, in all but the ter through it clears it up instantly. If the Where: Speleovendors most awkward shots, the light from a Twin gets submerged, no big deal, since the headJamp is magnified and it's easy to read space between the capsule fills completely, The Suunto Twin Prismatic Compass/ there're no Clinometer (model number PM-S/260 PC) is buhbles to inter- a nice alternative to the standard survey in- fere. Silty water struments. Housed in one milled aluminum should be body, the instruments don't clank into each avoided when- other while caving. At just four by two and ever possible. a half inches, the Twin weighs four ounces, Big chinks that much less bulky than a traditional compass work their way and clinometer set or other double instru- under the prism ments like the Suunto Tandem or the Brunton can be rinsed Sightmaster. away. Outside The instrument capsules themselves are ,the cave, the the same Suunto quality relied on by cavers Twin dries everywhere. The Compass is marked with quickly in the bold foresights and smaller backsights. The suo. clinometer reads degrees and percent of Be sure t slope. Both instruments are marked to one- use clean water degree increments for 0 degree accuracy. though. We The nicest feature of the Twin is the pris- made the mistake matic sighting. Standard instruments are the dial without lighting the dial with an- of repeatedly rinsing our Twin with cave read by looking through a channel in the other source. The numbers are also magni- water. Three years later, there's a dulling film case at numbers on the edge of the dial. With fied so they appear large and clear - great of calcite over the capsules that makes them the Twin, you look through the prism and for folks with less than perfect vision. a bit hard to read. We should have used distilled water or made an effort to soak it in a mild vinegar solution after each dunking. No fear, when it gets too bad, we can send Gonzo Guano Gear the Twin back to be reconditioned like any other Suunto products. 11916 Bluebonnet Lone The Twin requires a different technique to read than other Suuntos. Traditional Mcmchoco, TX 78652 Suunto sighting instruments are read by aligning the line on the capsule with the tar- 512-292-1878 get (usually a light on station). To read a Now offering a full line of products from prismatic instrument, it's necessary to align the body (clearly marked with a red dot) with the line on the capsule and the target. This method keeps the reader's head a bit further ~ ~ ~~"a.-r.+L'';;:~+-~.,J from the instrument, giving a bit more lee- ALL-WEATHER WRITING PAPER way in positioning to read awkward shots. It takes some practice to get used to reading including loose leaf paper, mylar and bound prismatic instruments. Some people who'v survey books, and three ring binders. always read traditional sighting instruments simply hate it. This seems to be a matter of See us on the webl www.gonzoguanogear.com personal preference rather than practicality. All in all, the Suunto Twin Prismatic Com- Or email [email protected] pass/Clinometer is great for cave survey- ing.

94 THE TEXAS CAVER - JULY/AUGUST2000 r BUDGET CAVER Cheap Survey Instruments Rebecca Jones So cave surveying sounds kind of cool, books, from fancy six-ring binders with wa- The instruments are the really expensive but survey gear ain't cheap and it's not terproof plastic sheets ($25) to pocket-sized, part of survey gear. A good sighting com- something you just happen across at a thrift non-treated booklets of survey paper ($3). pass runs around $90, and a clinometer shop or on ebay. At the very least you need Think carefully about your choice of note- around $110. a tape, light to Suunto offers the KB-20 sighting com- sight to, note- pass for around $50. It has a plastic body book, compass, instead of milled aluminum. The capsule, and clinometer. which contains the actual compass, is the A good 30- same one they put in their high-end models. meter Keson fi- Many cavers report good luck with this. berglass tape I haven't found a cheap alternative to runs nearly $30. the expensive clinometers yet. If anybody's Fortunately, got an idea, let me know. there's Harbor You might also consider taking advan- Freight. They've tage of the caving organization nearest you. got decent mea- The TSS and many grottos have survey in- suring tapes for struments that they may lend to trustwor- less than $15. thy individuals. Whether you're trustwor- Granted these thy or not is your problem, I'm just making aren't going to the suggestion. 8t as long as a • . igher quality brand, but hey, you get what you pay for. book. As the Rite-in-the-Rain folks say. "If Cheap tapes have some common prob- it's worth collecting, its worth protecting." lems. The numbers wear off fairly quickly. You might not need the top of the line, but So don't drag the tape through the grit at you don't want to trust your data to the every opportunity. The hook at the end of backs of old junk mail envelopes either. the tape cuts your hand or just breaks off. Duct tape. The tape itself rips near the dumb end. Again, duct tape. You can also use AquaSeal or PVC cement NEW STuFF FROM IMOI to reinforce the end. (Be care- ful not to lengthen or shorten the tape.) The reels break if handled roughly. OK we're talking about caving here, that's rough. The reel will break 3 New Helmets!

eventually; try not to drop it Co/l(l{islble any more than necessary. Bottles! A small red LED light works well for sighting to. Petz! "Ttm1ion" Ratchet Pulley! There are several single LED squeeze lights available for

less than $10. If you're handy, Packs t Harnesses MATRIX LED Headltlmp! ou can make your own with from GONZO] • OUllfaill a 9-volt battery for less than uffilters $5. YOURFULL-LINES DEALER Any notebook 'with graph paper will do. Speleovendors Visit our complete on-line catalog! 5715 Lee Jackson Hwy, GreenvineVA 24440 carry a wide range of survey http://www.caves.org/imo Ph/Fax (540) 377-2690 [email protected]

TNE TEXAS CAVER 95 - JULY/AUGUST2000 PROJECT REPORT Bustamante 2000 Rune Burnett, Orion Knox, and Melanie Alspaugh sensitive areas. This work will be reversible The Gruta del Palmito, located above to date, hopefully, is setting a preservation } the town of Bustamante, Mexico (Nuevo ethic to be followed by those who visit the in the event the cave is ever fully devel- Leon), is a world-class cave. In Atlas, Great cave. A part of the 2000 Project is to install oped. It is hoped the 2000 Project will in- Cosesofthe World, (Courbon,etaI1989), it preservation signs inside and outside the clude improved lighting in a selected area to I cave in Spanish and English. demonstrate how the beauty of the cave can Working with cavers and be enhanced by removing the present over- Scouts from Mexico and the head lighting. A past project involved the US over the past three years sealing of the entrance to the dry outside air at Palmito is spreading the to slow evaporation in the cave. The guide good word about conserva- at the cave has indicated that some of the tion and preservation of natu- previously dry formations are now wet most ral resources. of the time. RESTORATION PUBLIC RELATIONS The caving community's The preservation, restoration and devel- restoration effort at the cave opment work undertaken to date has en- is accomplishing two things. hanced the beauty of the cave and improved It is repaying the cave for the safety for the visiting public. This work has many years of enjoyment the been appreciated by those in Bustamante Christie Quintana in the entrance room of Palmito. cave has provided to us and as well as others in Mexico who are familiar ranks in the top ten of the world's largest it is restoring a great cave for future genera- with the work. This can only help our image chambers. It is now nearing 100 years of tions to enjoy. with the government and landowners in th public access and use by cavers r'---- area. and non-cavers alike, However, CAVER COMMUNITY SPIRIT visitation has taken a toll on the The Bustamante Project is a large, long cave in the form of wear and tear, term project if carried to completion. Thus littering, vandalism, and graffiti. In far, it has brought together cavers from both recent years, more controlled ac- the US and Mexico in a cooperative, preser- cess has fortunately slowed the vation-oriented spirit. Already, much im- deliberate degrading of the cave, provement can be seen in the cave and ev- but much work is still needed to eryone can take great pride in what has been bring it back to some semblance accomplished. This is the spirit that should of its former self. be carried forward into future projects. The Bustamante Labor Day For further information on this year's Project/Amigos de fa Gruta was project dates, registration, and proposed begun to help do just this. Now in The spectacular cliffs of Bustamante Canyon. work, see the latest and upcoming issues of its fourth year, the Project goals the TSA Activities Newsletter, or visit the reach beyond clean-up and graffiti removal DEVELOPMENT TSA web site at www.texascavers.com/tsa. and are aimed at maintaining and promoting The development-related work under- then follow the Labor Day, Bustamante link. the long term well-being of the cave as an taken to date and planned for this and fu- All photos by MelonieAlspaugh. important natural resource, so that future ture projects will further the long generations can enjoy its impressive beauty. term preservation of Palmi to: To The long term goals for the Bustamante La- date, the visiting public has had bor Day Project are: pretty much free run of where 1. Preservation they go, particularly in the first 2. Restoration room where most visitors tour. 3. Development Having a guide present has 4. Public Relations helped but because of the diffi- 5. Conununity Spirit cult walking conditions, people The current status of the work relating tend to wander. The project ob- to each of these goals is briefly described jecti ves are to improve access below. along the tour route and define PRESERVATION the route in a manner that will The work that has been accomplished keep people away from the more Sheldon Eden at the Altar in Palmito.

96 TH/£ TEXAS CAVER JULYIAUGUST200Q , . ACCIDENT REPORT What I learned by Breaking My Leg in 0-9 Well Ken Kaman The following might be of interest to everybody else in the breakdown at the room followed me out. There were drops of about J the membership, it being the first caving at the bottom of the second drop. If]' d been 60 feet and 120 feet, but thankfully, using accident suffered by a PBSS'er* involving with a group of cavers I knew or had made my ropewalker, I was able to do most of 1 broken bone since Rick Day purportedly an effort to be less self-conscious, I would the climbing with the left leg. After exit- bashed in Chuck Anderle's head with a have been communicating, asking whether ing the cave, I didn't have to do a lot of baseball bat at Little Sentinel Cave in 1991. I was going the right way. And I probably walking, because somebody named Goatboy, from Austin or San Antonio, BACKGROUND would never have gotten into trouble. The evening before entering 0-9 Well, But, instead, I decided to make my way brought me beer. Walter, who has sprained I drove over my pressure gauge. I also punc- down quickly. The floor looked about 10 his ankles numerous times, suggested I re- tured Teresa while playing around with a feet below me, and I figured that if! slipped habilitate by putting all my weight on the Swiss army knife. On the day of the trip, I could slide on my butt down to the floor. foot and walking normally. Nine days later, May 28, 2000, I left my food in Midland, and And, I was spacing. I wasn't concentrating I went to the doctor and discovered I'd bro- then received a ticket at an obvious speed on climbing, but was thinking about Teresa. ken my leg in several places. trap in Barnhart. What I'm saying is that I Anyway, I slipped and slid on my butt LESSONS LEARNED .was seriously spacing out long before I en- about 10 feet to the floor. Then I popped 1. Do not space out when caving. tered the cave. through a hole in the floor and kept going. 2. Do not be intimidated by big-time Arriving at 0-9 Well, the only person I Another 20 feet and I carne to a stop. I was Mexico cavers. Communicate with people knew was Walter Feaster, from Midland. stunned at the time, and don't remember around you, All the rest were well-known, big-time how I hit the floor. I do remember thinking 3. Do not think about your inflatable Mexico cavers. I was a little nervous around at a particular instant while I was falling, doll when climbing in an exposed position. 11 those people I had only read about be- "I wonder if I'm gonna die," which was 4. Do ask Walter Feaster for advice about treating an injury. Then do exactly • re, and did not take the time to bond. pretty ridiculous, considering there were THE ACCIDENT only about five more feet to go. the opposite. I was the last person down the rope, and After deciding that my right ankle was *PBSS'er - Member of Permian Basin was behind the rest of the group. I got off sprained, I headed out of the cave. Jodie, Speleological Society the trail, and ended up about 30 feet above from Austin, kindly cut his trip short and PROJECT REPORT Proyecto Cheve Update - Cueva Charco 2000 Nancy Pistole After spending two weeks pushing was always in use. All total, 13 people spent Cueva Charco, Oaxaca, Mexico, with a good time in the underground camp, although the group of people, the cave is now 1019 meters most we had in camp at anyone time was 10 deep and 4.71 kilometers long. The trip was

TRIP REPORT Caving in Paradise Troy Shelton Reprinted from The Oztotl Caver On March 11,2000, I departed on an am- the middle. It is one of those great circles laborers impressed into service. So many bitious trip to Southeast Asia, I was part of that you find in foreign cities like the end of people succumbed to the tropical heat, dis- a group from Dallas that was travelling to the Champs-Elysees surrounding the Arc de eases, and abuse from the Japanese that it's Thailandprimarily for a scuba-diving trip into Triomphe in Paris. We had the easy known as the the Indian Ocean's Andaman Sea, which is left turn to take; they drive on the "Death Rail- located off the western coast of the Thai- opposite side of the road there. way." An esti- Malay peninsula. However, [also knew that Once on Phetkasem Road, the real mated 16,000 Thailand has many karst areas, so I was look- test began, as Clay took on the 10- prisoners of ing forward to getting out in the country as cal dri vers Iike he was in a war and 49,000 much as possible to visit caves. NASCAR race. We battled for our conscripts died Having spent all the time I could stand pole position on the six lanes of di- during the COD- in Bangkok, Clay Dobson and I rented a car vided avenue. Motorcycles would struction of the to escape the city. Now let me tell you, the squeeze through the tight spaces bridge and rail- traffic in Bangkok is without a doubt the between the sides of our car, and the side way. We continued north, entering the moun- mostinsane, life-threatening stuff you have mirrorskept getting pushed in. We finally tainous cave-bearing zone just as the sun ever seen. Luckily, years of driving through figured out that they were designed to eas- was setting. Metroplex rush hour had prepared us well ily snap out of the wayan impact; there was We were heading into an area of high for the challenges that lay ahead. The rental a convenient electrical switch you pushed mountains that are known as the Ta-Nao-Si car company brought to pop them back Range. These mountains form the western the car to our hotel, and out. Otherwise, border of Thailand with Myanmar (Burma). Clay completed the pa- they would just get Two great rivers, the Khwae Noi and Khwa perwork in the lobby. Our broken pretty Yai, flow through the mountains, eventual! mission was to find our much as soon as joining to form the Mae- Klong River. The way out of the city, head the car left the mountainsarelimestone, and the rivershave northwest to National showroom. carved great karst valleys, which are abso- Parks, go caving and We slowly left lutely loaded with wonderful caves, unpol- hiking, then find our way the claustrophobic luted streams, and waterfalls. There are a back to the hotel in three chokehold of the number of national parks in this area, and days. If you had been city, and started to we were primarily going to spend our time at witnessing the chaos see the country- ErawanandSai-Yok National parks. that takes place on the streets of Bangkok side. I was finally getting to see the real Thai- We reached Erawan National Park well every day, you would have been terrified at land. We passed expanses of rice patties, after the closing time. We made it througha these prospects. Rarely does any foreign banana plantations and palm couple of checkpoints and touristundertake such a daunting task. But trees. Sugar cane fields and cac- stopped at the final park- we're travelers, not tourists. tus farmsquickly made me forget ing area. There were no While Clay was being fitted for custom- the horrors of the city. For the campsites or cabius avail- tailored suits (a common pastime for visi- first time in days, I breathedfresh able, so we backtracked to tors to Bangkok), I turned my attention to air. the Erawan Guest House. speaking to as many of the hotel staff that I Our first stop was the town We rented a sparse but could about how to get to Kanchanaburi. of Kanchanaburi, to see the infa- ~ clean bungalow, for 1000

As luck would have it, our hotel was strate- mous bridge over the river ~! Baht- about US$26 -, and gically placed for making a daringexit from Khwae. Contrary to what was then went across the road the city. We simply had to make a left out of depicted in the movie, it's made to join all the fantilies feast- theparkinggarage, aright on the main street of concrete pillars that were ing on fried chicken feet at going over the river, then a right at the next brought from Java and reas- !~ Ithe local eatery. majorintersection, and that would get us to sembled on site, with steel- In the morning, we TaskinCircle. At Taskin Circle, providing you trestle spans. Bombed several ' ] woke up early and immedie turnedoff onto the correct spoke, we would times during the war, it was re- ately headed for a cave. find ourselves on the road that ultimately built again after the war. The real story is Our first destination was Phratat Cave, turns into the westbound highway. not about building this one bridge, but about ten kilometers up into the mountains. With Clay at the wheel, and me navigat- about how the entire Japanese Thai-Burma The mountains were shrouded in mist, and ing, we made it to Taskin Circle, easily identi- railway was constructed by allied prisoners as we climbed higher, a layer of fog nestled liable by the huge statue of King Taskin in of war during World War II, and by local down below us, wrapping itself around the % ~~sa~ JULY/AUGUST2000

.alley like a river. Towering karst peaks down the hill was much easier. I got this foot-high walls. It appears that at different poked out of the shroud like islands sus- feeling that we were going to spend a lot of times during the millennia, water had cas- pended in the clouds. We made it to the time hiking upand down hills over the next caded down at various points around the ranger station below the cave at a very re- couple of days. canyon, leaving huge sheets of travertine. spectable 8:30am. We paid 20B at the hut, As we drove back down the mountain, I It was like an immense outdoor cavern with and a guide escorted us up the steep and noticed that what I had thonght had been a giant amphitheater filled by the sound of rocky trail. fog hanging in a valley was really a giant rushing water. We hiked through a classic Southeast lake that had been covered in mist. Just up- After the long hike down, we went back Asian alpine bamboo forest, to the sounds stream from the park entrance lies the Si to the outstanding Thai restaurant where of strange birds and cicadas. After about an Nakharin Dam, an impressive hydroelectric we'd eaten the night before. For about $1.50 8oo-meter climb, we reached the impressive power plant. The monstrous 300-foot high US a plate, we had some of the best chicken entrance. Large concrete dam impoundsthe Khwae YaiRiver, with cashews and pork-fried rice you could formations bor- forming the vast Srinakarin Reservoir. We everhope to fwd. Afterconsuming six plates had seen none of this the night between the two of us, we bid dered either side of a large slotted L before, nor had I realized that this goodbye to our hosts. We at- entrance. It re- giant lake was even there. We I tempted to drive north to the mi nded me of a , parked our car in the parking lot end of the road, where suppos- Guads entrance nearthe visitors'center,andspent edly you could take a boat ride in a way, but yet there was a markedly differ- a few minutes looking aronnd ' ,to a tall waterfall dumping into ent feeling due to the surrounding tropical before our hike up to thefalls. the lake. We pulled into a little vegetation. Our guide lit a kerosene lantern, Erawan Falls formed as a large village where we were sur- and we descended into the cave. stream flows down the side of the prised to find a ferry, Immediately, large formations and beau- mountainto theriver.The stream Confused as to where the tiful decorations came into view, and I knew would be classified as a largeriver ferry was going, we continued that I was not going to bedisappointed. Cas- in Texas. Youreach seven differ- on. It turnedout that the ferry ding crystal frozen waterfalls sparkled in ent levels, as you hike steeply was circumventing a section of • ur lights. The Sai-Yok limestone formation upward. The stream is highly "'-'__ ~.J.o."'" road that wrapped around a is an extremely beautiful dark gray color with charged with calcite and, as you get the long finger of the lake. The road quickly white bands, giving it a marble-like appear- higher, the waterbecomes more milky blue. evaporated into a construction zone, then ance. We entered a giant room, and I stood Massive travertine dams have formed the just deteriorated into a wagon road. Clay there, breathless. The only other time I have dramatic waterfall zones. Think about was hauling ass, trying to beat the sun (we ever been in a larger room was in Carlsbad Oklahoma's Honey Creek flowing through had no chance) and, SLAM, we crashed into Caverns. The ceiling was perhaps 250 to 350 the Arbuckles on its way to Turner Falls, a crater, immediately trashing a tire. This was feet above our heads. Massive columns tined and multiply it tenfold. our signal to turn around and head to the the walls. I saw, without a doubt, the largest The lower levels were shrouded by the other park. We changed the tire as the sun stalactite of my life, 45-60 feet around. Huge jungle, and monkeys played in the trees. We sank down into the lake. fallen stalactites were lying on their sides, stopped several times at deep swimming We stopped at a small town south of and they still towered above our heads as holes created by the continuous plnnging where we spent the night, and they had a we stood beside them. of the water over the travertine dams. I more detailed map on the wall than the one This cave has it all: climbed up under the we'd looked at in the car. It showed a pro- rimstone. flowstone, falls into the outdoor vincial road crossing the mountain range crystals, stalagmites, cave rooms formed by sooner than we had expected. I'd thought stalactites, bacon, and the travertine. The we were going to haveto drive most of way draperies. You name it; watercame thundering backto Kanchanaburi. butwe now kept OUf all were represented down around me, and eyes open for the short cut. We turned off abundantly. We entered I let it pound into my of the main road and made our way west another room where neck and shoulders. It on a road that cut through one of the few huge bats were flying was very invigorating passes in the mountainrange. We had to be around and hanging on and relaxing. Clay tried especially careful after we saw the elephant the walls. The Great to touch bottom, but crossing sign, just like a deer crossing sigh Green Leaf bats appeared as large as fruit could find no end to the abyss. in Texas. You've got to be more careful At the end of the trail, you reach the about hitting an elephant at night. • ats, but since they were living in a cave, I suspect that they are insectivorous. Clay highest pool. Here the water is so heavily Editor'SNote: Join us next time as Clay remarkedthatthey were as big as cats. I was charged with calcite that is has turned to andTroy explore Sai-YokNational Park, meet taking lots of photos, using our guide and the color of cream. We were now above the Mr.Sum Lee-famous Thaicave guide, take his lantern as a light source. We spent an jungle, and the whole area was completely a ride downstream on the Khwae Noi River hour and a half gaping at the marvels, then bathed in sunshine. Before me was a tall, to visit Lawa Cave andlisten for the ghosts exited to the mid-morning sun. The hike back narrow travertine canyon, with perhaps 200- of Japanese soldiers in Kaew Cave. 99 THE TEXAS CAVER JULYIAUGUST2000 TRIP REPORT Finally, Fitton Benjamin Starr I'm the kind of guy who stubbornly re- c1imbed ...and climbed ...and climbed ... For an We found it, strapped on our helmets, fuses invitations to caving trips with more hour we scoured the walls of the drainage and entered, gazing at the waterfall entering experienced cavers, preferring to spend my for something resembling a dark , on our left and another inter- precious few hole and came up empty- I esting trickle on our right. days off tak- handed. I knew there was The map looked like it would ing those with a road that was occasion- be easy going from here to LESS experi- ally used to access both the first big waterfall, so I ence to delve entrances, and I also was surprised when the roof into the world knew that if we kept pinched down and we were beneath. Con- climbing in the drainage crawling on our stomachs, sequently, we'd eventually find it. So bats cursing us mere inches most of my after another 20 minutes, above our heads. Just as I trips end up Hangin' out at the sturdy entrance we came across a road, a was about to turn back, I thwarted in gate of Fitton Cave. porta-potty, and some- heard the roar of the falls, and some respect (though from the trip reports thing that resembled a campsite. the passage opened up. I

I read, most trips end unexpectedly We stumbled about in the dark- 1 spent about 20 minutes anyways, so I suppose I shouldn't com- ness, scouring the flat ground A shallow pool reflects searching for a way to get to plain i). However, as plans solidified for my around the site for the entrance ... majestic columns. the bottom of the falls, but it last trip to the Buffalo River country, I hoped and came up empty-handed. I sat looked pretty dangerous, I could return to Dallas and honestly say, down, dejected, surrounded by the still night certainly not something that I'd let my ;'Finally, Fitton." air and the laughing trees. My friendsjoined friends climb down. This was only their se The story of the saga between Fitton me for a PowerBar feast. It was several min- and cave, so we scraped back throngh th and myself begins in the spring of 1998 (if! utes before I noticed the first tick on my leg. crawl to the entrance and locked the gate remember correctly). After gathering as [ was cursing the cave by this point, but behind us. much information about the cave as I could, 1knew there was another entrance which was The soft light helped soothe my frustra- I drove to Abilene to pick up some friends accessible on our permit at the time, so we tion, but I was gonna see a damn stalactite if from College, and we struck out for Jasper it killed me, so we found our way back to the on a Friday afternoon. Reaching the park original drainage to search for the Beauty well after midnight, we spent a good 45 min- Cave entrance to the Fitton system. It was utes bumping down into the Buffalo River easily found in the light of day, and a steep Canyon. Upon reaching the river, my group muddy flowstone slope greeted us "as we was horrified to discover that we actually slid laughing into the belly ofthe cave's en- had to DRIVE ACROSS the river to reach trance chamber. The formations were stun- the trailhead. We had to do a great deal of ning, and while the rest of the party delighted pleading and ego-boosting with my Honda in smearing the sticky cave mud allover each Civic, begging her to cross. Yes, she's the other, I was off around the room photograph- same one that has scraped and ground her ing the formations. way to the top of Dark Canyon Lookout I saw the dark pit to my right and knew countless times, but fast-moving bodies of where it led, but I also knew we were ex- water are a different story I Thankfully the pected back in Dallas that evening. So we river was low, and she got us safely to the left the cave, satisfied with the beauties of opposite bank, making me promise not to the entrance chamber, and I hiked back to make her ford the river on the return trip. the car with one thought ringing in my head: The trailhead at Cecil Cove was clearly "J WILL BE BACK!" marked, thank God, so we piled out of the Sure enough, a year later I summoned car, stretched stiff legs, and shouldered our Calcite formations hang in profusion in best friend and caving buddy Kirk Brown the entrance chamber. gear. Following a vague map provided by along with his girlfriend Carolyn and a war. the park service and a trail description in followed the sound of a waterfall into the associate of mine to join me in a second as- my hiking book, we walked the 2.5 miles to night and DOWN DOWN DOWN until we sault. Legends of the breathtaking gypsum the creek crossing, where we were to leave intersected a streambed, and as the soft rays formations in the back of the cave had been the trail. My perfect sense of dead-reckon- of first light began to filter through the ash taunting me for months. We did the all-night ing led us to the correct drainage where we trees, I heard an echoing waterfall and knew drive to Jasper in Carolyn's parents' van and knew the cave would be hiding. We the Bat Cave entrance must be close at hand. enjoyed an incredible breakfast at the Dairy

100 Tne TEXAS CAVEll

~------~ -- JULY/AUGUST2000 ~.ineron the banks of the Little Buffalo River. be fine. They must've disliked me a great method of approaching the cave that it would ~e spent the morning playing around in In- deal, though, for when we ground to a stop not expect, a way that it could not block us. dian Creek Canyon, watching the icicles thaw at a place much further up the road than I And I succeeded! Strangely enough, and crash off the cliffs and probing around remembered seeing water, we discovered the cavers put up with long bumpy roads and in a few caves; and when we finally bumped river was at flood stage, and I knew if I at- river crossings to reach a trailhead that is at down the road off the canyon wall and ap- tempted to cross there really WOULD be least 2.5 miles from the cave, when there is a preached the river crossing at Erbie, the fish peering into the windows. So we backed two-mile road in excel1ent condition that water was deeper and swifter than the year out and I cursed EVERY mile ofthat horrid leads to a delightful trail past several lovely before. Still, I knew we were in a much more road back to Highway 7. waterfalls that takes you to the cave entrance substantial vehicle, and I punched the ac- I tore out my map ,."....".... in about 25 min- celerator. As we began inching into the deep- and discovered there utes. Don't believe est water, Ralph (my coworker) was scream- was an alternate me? Drive to Ponca ing something about how the fish were swim- road to the trailhead and take the road ming around and looking into his window, that crossed tiny up the hill through but I kept my eyes on the spot where I knew Cove Creek before the town of the road lay buried beneath the water, and reaching the Compton. Once we finally made it to dry ground, only to trailhead. So after an- you pass the turn- grind to a stop in deep graveL An hour later other 45 minutes of off for Hemmed- in- ~~::",::~~ .... oliOOo~'" Ho lIow (the we dug out the tires and escaped the gravel confusing and un- A wall of formations split the entrance room. pit, pulling to a halt at the Cecil Cove marked back-country Compton-Erbie trailhead. roads, we skidded to a halt at something Road), drive another 0.5 miles and look for a By this time Ralph was not up for the that looked remarkably like the Buffalo River somewhat obscure road branching down trip to the cave, and the temperature was Crossing of Trips Past. This was actually and to your right between two fences. Take hovering near freezing, so Kirk and Carolyn Cove Creek, swollen over its banks, much this road, and though it is steep with lots of and I bundled up and headed out for the deeper than what I could safely cross, so I ups and downs, it makes the Cornptou-Erbie ~ve. We had to cross the icy creek several got out of the car, screamed a few choice Road look like a freeway. It will drop down _mes, whicb did not particularly appeal to expletives at the top of my lungs, and drove and cross a tiny stream, and you can park on the left side at a lovely campsite. This is our sense of ad-I!l"_-""''''''==~''''l::I''~'''''' back out of venture, and we fi- the canyon, I Broadwater Hollow, and the trail folJows the nally gained the could feel the left hand side of the creek past several lovely cave entrance. Kirk cave laughing waterfalls to the lip of Devil's Den, one of is a photographer at me as we the deepest pits in the Ozarks. You can hear and wanted some settled for the a waterfall echoing out of the depths of the shots for his port- measly 1,000- pit. Another few minutes down the canyon, folio, so we spent foot waterfall and you intersect Cecil Creek. Anyone fa- the better part of cave at the miliar with Fitton can find either entrance three hours photo- top of Eden just ten minutes from this point. graphing the en- Falls to sat- We drove all night from Dallas and then trance room, isfy our cav- subjected ourselves to the horrors of the Carolyn discov- ing urge. Compton-Erbie road in the middle of the ered she had an ex- A year night to drop the permit off at Cavers Camp. '!1 We reached the Dairy Diner at sunrise and stumbled in for pancakes and coffee. Then we piled in the cars, and 40 minutes later we were parked at our campsite in Broadwater Hollow. The adrenaline of the trip began to course through our veins, and the group re- jected tbe two-hour nap they had been so excited about at breakfast in favor of getting an immediate start. Mistake #1: Don't begin a ten-hour cav- ing trip on no sleep, Soon we were fumbling with the locks 011 the cave gate, Kirk remarking the entire time about how much more enjoyable the hike was this time. We lifted the 2,000 -pound gate and climbed into the cave, finding the entrance room much drier than before. We lOt THE TEXAS CAVER NLYIAUGUST2000

spent an bour photographing the room, ex- and doubled back on itself, and I KNEW with a brief stop a natural shower to wasl ploring all the tiny nooks, and watching the that we had to be very close to the Manhole off the cave mud. (This shower is located bats mating. Then Isat down to pull out the if we hadn't already passed it. Istopped to just to the right of the first waterfall as you map for our descent into the lower portions check a lead on my right and chimneyed up hike back up Broadwater Hollow to your car of the cave. After five minutes of cursing, into a huge breakdown room. Puzzled, Isat and is perfect for getting off all that sticky We accepted the fact that Ihad left the map down to think. We weren't supposed to get Ozark Cave Mud.) in the car, and after deciding that my photo- to another large room until the stream pas- It was about 1PM, and Kirk wanted to graphic memory would lead us safely to our sage entered from the Bat Cave entrance, drive up to Compton for some stomach medi- destination, we climbed down into the pas- and to get to THAT room we had to go down cine, so Mark and Dan and I set up camp sage leading to the Manhole. through the Manhole. Had we somehow al- and relaxed. I reviewed the map, realizing Mistake #2: Don't forget the map if ready traversed the Manhole and not known that the drop with the formation MUST have you've never been there before. about it? Or, even worse, had we stumbled been the Manhole, and we had gone all the We crawled around for 30 minutes or so, into a part of the Crystal Passage that was way to the room that begins the Crystal Pas- finding plenty of signs of human passage, restricted? Ilooked about and couldn't find sage. But when Kirk and Carolyn returned having to backtrack at blank walls, and fi- a single crystal, so I figured we were still from Compton, everyone was too weary to nally stumbled across an unusual sight: a okay. I summoned the rest of the group to trek back to the cave, so we spent the rest of perfectly round the afternoon loung- hole dropping ver- ing. I strung up my tically about 15 hammock and jumped feet. "The Man- in for a nap filled with hole!" I shouted, uneasy dreams of the "Here it is!" But cave laughing at me, then I noticed the dancing around me, huge column drop- and sticking out its ping down ~.~.~,-, tongue. through the length f&:,"""""iill'!''-~ The next day w of the hole, and rented canoes from th doubt began to set friendly folks at the in. Thoughts Buffalo Outdoor Cen- raced through my ter and canoed the mind, "I've heard river from Steel Creek plenty of descrip- Kirk enters the passage that leads to the Manhole. to Kyle's Landing. tions of the Man- This is DEFINITELY a hole, and no one said anything about a for- join me, and as they sat down for a snack, T trip that any caver driving all the way to mation inside it. It looks like we'd have to scouted aJhead to the end of the big room. Fitton should do. The canoe costs about actually chimney with our feet against the When Ireturned, Kirk remarked that he $35, and they will shuttle your car for $20, formation to get to the bottom and I would needed to either puke or something worse, for a trip that takes about six hours. On the hate to have to disturb it like that. Perhaps and we needed to get out of the cave. way there are some fun little rapids, a huge this isn't the Manhole, and we just haven't KrRK ... the man who had endured Hell Hole cliff called Big Bluff (440 feet high), and a gotten to it yet." with me twice; the man who, on the climb up short side trip to Hemmed-in-Hollow, a 200- I told the group to wait, and I would to Corkscrew Cave, had been stuck by foot waterfall. VERY cool! scout ahead a bit, and ordered Dan to in- lechuguilla so hard that it took a pair of pli- As we drove home to Dallas from our vestigate the hole a bit further to see where ers and two people to pull it out of his shin; weekend in the Ozarks, Iknew I'd be back. it went without touching the formation. Five the man who had hiked in and out of I'd sworn that if! didn't conquer the cave, minutes later I was back with news that the Havasupai with me in less than 24 hours. He I would never return, but the siren song of passage continued, and Dan said that as far had wimped out! dark passageways intent 'on evading my as he could tell, the hole was a blind drop. We all took bets, like we always do, on entry is too much to resist. My desire to see Mistake #3: Never trust a guy who how long it would take us to reach the en- the wonders of the Upper Maze grows HATES low crawls to check successfully a trance. The bets ranged from 45 minutes to stronger each day and Iam determined that passage that reportedly drops into a low 1.5 hours. We were out in 20. if! can just get some sleep before the next crawl. Ilaughed and kicked myself at my fail- trip, take the map in with us, and investi- I We continued on down the passage ure. 1 had let the group enter the cave on no gate the leads myself, we'll all be able t through an interesting place where so many sleep, Ihad forgotten the map, and Ihad not say, "Finally, Fitton!" cavers had crawled through the mud that personally checked the drop that was Check out Ben's web page: there were deep ruts where the knees CLEARLY the Manhole. Kirk returned from wWw.geocities.com/b enj ami n sta r r I dragged along. The group cheerfully named the woods feeling much better, but still weary cave.html it "The Butt Crack." We came to a section and in no mood to delve back down into the All photos by author. where the crawl turned sharply to the left cave with no map. We hiked back to the car, 102 THE TEXAS CAVER JULY/AUGUST2000

TRIP REPORT Women's Trip to 0-9 Well Robin Barber & Aimee Beveridge Some time ago, Becky Jones decided to the pool and amongst smooth rocks. was impressed by the clarity of the water initiate a women's caving trip, hoping that Climbing through a hole in the break- in the rimstone pools as she traversed them. the low-key experience would offer the op- down, we continued through ever-deeper (She'd been bringing up the rear on the way portunity to try rigging and enjoy the ca- pools and bigger dams. At the third drop, in.) Robin decided that the best way to navi- maraderie of other women. Those joining Susan rigged the redirect. Before descend- gate therimstone pools was to plow through her on the trip were Robin ing she asked, "Is there wa- them. This resulted in lots of water rush- Barber, Aimee Beverage, tel' down there?" We all ing downstream on everyone - Becky and JacquieBills, Bonnie LongJey, chimed in, "Water in 0-9 Aimee were nearly drowned several times. and Susan Sou by. Rune Well? You've got to be kid- Susan, Aimee, and Bonnie derigged on Burnett also joined us and ding!" This drop is wet: a the way out. We all exited the cave by IOpm. held down the campsite while waterfall splashes you for The climb up the entrance shaft went we women caved. most of the way, and you smoothly for everyone. There were good The weather was cool the land in a large, waist deep things awaiting us at the top. entire weekend. On our way pool. Rune, our honorary male, was waiting at in, we stopped and checked After two small drops, we top with coffee and wine for each of us as out a newly installed windmill found ourselves at the top we came out of the cave. (Thank you Rune!) and chatted with Walter of the lowest room of the And a mysterious dog greeted each of us at Feaster, the cave manager, cave. Robin noticed that the the top of the shaft as we emerged. Rune who arranged access for us. last rope was in pretty bad explained that the owner of the ranch had We invited Walter to join our Susan Souby havin' fun in 0-9. shape. It had been left in the left the dog and said we could keep him . roup, but he declined. He Aimee Beveridge photo. water, and its sheath was Rune made a great dinner for us that in- 1• aid that getting access this year was more badly abraded. We inspected it and agreed eluded an excellent salad, pasta with meat difficult than usual because the lease and that the core was fine. We used it to get into sauce, and olive bread. He also set up our insurance policy had recently been renewed the room, but it needs to be replaced. tents and chairs and camp in general while with some new terms. He did an excellent A giant mud hill fills the bottom of the we were in the cave, so we had a great job getting access for us under these cir- cave. Jacquie climbed up and slid all the way present waiting for us as we emerged. The cumstances. down. The rest of us joined the fun, sliding dog joined us for coffee. (Literally. Every After investigating the huge stock tank around in the mud. Several of us went to time someone put down a coffee cup, the that the new windmill supplied, we arrived investigate the sump at the very end of the dog helped himself!) at the cave. 0-9 Well was originally a stage- cave, bnt turned back upon Breakfast the next morn- coach stop on the route between Ozona and finding ourselves in thigh- ing was lots offruit, yogurt, San Angelo. The buildings and cattle deep mud. and granola. After more dis- troughs used back then are still present. We We found that the regis- cussion with the ranch didn't spend much time investigating. tel' was full. Most of the owner, Bonnie decided to We entered the cave about 4pm. Becky names were from the 1994 keep the dog and named him showed us how to rig the top of the 127- NSS Convention. We re- 0-9. Before we left, Becky foot entrance drop and dropped down to rig moved the old register with derigged the top rope, and the rebelay at the bottom of the first pitch. the intent of replacing it with Susan oiled the lock on the The entrance shaft is a slot with a well pipe the officialNSS register cur- gate. Aimee turned on the running down it to stream passage. Aimee rently used to track caves windmill, bravely climbing to led on the way in and rigged the redirect that are subject to the most the top to free the stuck below the rebelay. use. The names on the pre- mechanism. We broke camp The water level in the cave was pretty vious register wiJl be sent to Jacqui arriv.esa~the botto~ of with a herd of cattle watch- low due to the drought. We made our way NSS. the 6O-footpit. AImeeBeveridge ing us. (Some of us watched downstream going through a series of pools Several critters were photo. them just about as warily as formed by rimstone dams. Then we came to spotted on this trip including healthy iso- they watched us!) _he traverse that led to the second drop. This pods in several pools. At the bottom of the . The 0-9 Well trip was great. W~ got a lot was a stretch for the short-legged among entrance drop there were loads of flatworms. of realistic caving practice, and we re ready us, but we all managed. (No snakes this time.) Crickets - mostly to move on to more rigging. Jacquie is seek- The second drop is beautiful, with lots nymphs - were seen throughout the cave. ing out new cave leads in Sutton County. of flowstone along the walls; everyone en- On the way up, Becky showed us how So we'll get back together and follow up on joyed it. At the bottom, bones from various to climb with one foot in the loop and one them. critters, including sheep, were scattered in on the wall. Jacquie led the way out and 103 TNI' TEXAS CAVER JULY/AUGU$T2000 VERTICAL TECHNIQUES ~ Self-Belay Treadmill Rebecca Jones Everybody knows that the best way to Eureka! Put the rack on top. This system rigthe treadmill. Change back onto the climb- get good at climbing rope is to climb lots of worked. ing rope; lower yourself. rope. Ideally, you'd want to climb succes- RIGGING Before climbing again, reposition the sively larger pits; this isn't really practical, Top Anchor: Rig the top anchor where a rope so it can feed cleanly especially in Texas. pulley would be in a regular treadmill set up. HINTS Before my first real vertical caving trip There should be an empty area, about three It takes some experimenting to find the to Mexico, I was a little intimidated by all the or four meters square, directly below the right combination of bars and rope diameter rope work. How hard is it, really, to climb 200 anchor. (The rope will pile up here.) and construction for your weight and climb- Escape Rope: Rig a short rope, long ing style. If your hand gets tired from grip- enough to reach the floor, within arm's reach ping the rope, you can increase friction by of the top anchor. running the rope through the handle of your Rack: Hang a rack upside-down from ascender, around a carabiner, etc. the top anchor. H you find yourself swinging wildly, Climbing Rope: A 100-meter rope is a your frog technique is sloppy. Concentrate good length. This rope needs to be like on climbing straight up the rope: push new--caving rope, even well-washed, will down, not out, as you step up. Be sure to not feed evenly through the rack. come to a complete stop before you begin Put a knot in BOTH ends. Flake the climbing again after lowering. (This is ex- climbing rope into a loose-fitting bag or into actly what you need to do to climb any free- a large pile. Offset this from the anchor so hanging rope efficiently.) it can feed cleanly, without interfering with If you climb straight up the rope, th the rope from above. rope should feed freely, without any assis Rig the rack with the long end of the tance. Until your technique improves to this rope coming into the upper end (in normal point, self-start as you normally would. use, the bottom) of the rack. Leave a meter If you climb and descend smoothly, the of rope hanging out ofthe bottom end (nor- rope will coil neatly below you. To reset, mally the top). [figure 2] just grab the whole pile and slide it out from To CLIMB under the anchor. Hold tension on the long end of the Don't be discouraged if this is all very climbing rope (coming up from the floor). awkward at first. Like any skill, it takes This is the control. practice. The only way to improve your Figure 1. Illustration from On Rope, Change over from the short rope to the climbing technique is to climb lots of rope. Padgett and Smith, p.297. end of the climbing rope (coming out of the bottom of the rack. If you've rigged it meters? How long does it take? I didn't want upside down, your weight will jam the rack the rest of the group to have to wait for me, shut and you'll be unable to lower your- peripheral vision problems, etc. mallers not, near future or far, numberof plastic lenses, even the hardened We decided on a ribbon segment lens. tell us what you're doing, ones, I decided that case hardened glass, This particular lens bas a segment for read- • you know who you are. • such as all glasses were years ago, would ing about9 mm tall and20 millimeterswide. • .so be a good idea, This "ribbon"is positioned in the same 10- • - Russ Johnson • I contacted Lens Crafters and a few other cation as a normal line type bifocal. The dif- UT Grotto Caver, poet, philosopher, • commercial optical outlets in vain for my ference is that instead of the half elliptical • accomplice ANL editor • perfect lenses. In desperation, I started segment going all the way to the bottom of • [email protected] • through the Yellow Pages - one optical out- the lens, it only goes down 9 mm, forming a • let at a time. I heard everything from "the ribbon of reading prescription in the lower ••••••••••••••••••••••

105 THI? TEXAS CAVER JULY/AUGUST2000 FROM THE FILES OF THE TSS 11 Caving in Texas - 1890s Style Submitted by William Russell exerpted from Texas Ranch Life, by Mary Jaquexs . CHAPTER xxv-THECRYSTALCOL- formed the whole side of the cave, and near thirty miles, and after halting half-way and UMNCAVE the top of these was a picture of a German bidding good-bye to our friends, we had A wonderful cave had recently been dis- castle with towers and small windows of scarcely resumed the journey when a cloud covered in Sutton County by Mr. Richard remarkable verisimilitude. burst over us. In a minute our thin garments Ruth, otherwise known as Buffalo Dick, a Our unassuming guide assured us that became saturated; Didymusa fainted and renowned hunter, who had taken 15,000 buf- we had not seen "all de pretties yet;" and, slipped to the floor of the waggon, whilst falo hides and shot 4000 deer. Our friends at indeed, the beauties of the cave were alike Dandy, whose rope Ijust managed to clutch FortTerritt, Mrs. Trainer and Mr. Van Buren, too numerous and too remarkable for any as it fell from Didymusa's hand, pitched kindly invited us to accompany them on a adequate description. In one chamber, violently by its side. A vivid flash, a peal of visit of inspection. Fort Territt was a very which we named the "Throne Room," sta- thunder, and round spun Joe and Button; interesting ranch, built of stone from the lagmites rose to a height of five feet, and the waggon lurched and would undoubt- old forts, which were used in the times of resembled prows of immense ships. The edly have capsized, if Dandy had not the Indian raids. Many stones engraved by throne was of a dull brown colour, the roof charged the team in the nick of time and the Comanches and arrow heads might be of dazzling brightness, and as we held up saved us! found. our candles it appeared to be studded with Didymusa recovered sufficiently to re- We set forth early from Fort Territt, with thousands of glow-worms, or to vary the lieve me of Dandy's rope and, remember- a buggy and a hack; Buffalo Dick, in a buck- simile, resembled a starlit sky. In another ing that Baker's little ranch was near at board, carrying the commissariat and a chamber hung a long cluster of stalactites hand, I drove on as fast as possible. The number of lanterns and candles. After in the form of an alabaster chandelier; in accommodation was poor, but we went to unharnessing and hobbling our horses, we yet another stood a solitary figure which I bed while our clothes were dried and were prepared the lanterns and started towards named Ariadne, and Mr. Van Buren Varuna, able to set forth again the next mornin the mouth of the cave. After a few minutes it having a kind of double hand with a coil none the worse for the wetting. walk reached a large round hole in the rocks like the Indian Neptune. Approaching Calf Creek we saw a pole- about six feet deep, and although Mr. Van Although on returning to daylight and cat with six kittens, all carrying their tails Buren chipped out a little ledge which was the camping ground we were hot and tired, erect and waving over their backs exactly of some help, Mrs. Trainer and Didymusa our boots and dresses presenting a some- like their mother. Having heard that they and I found some difficulty in dropping to what bedraggled appearance, whilst Mrs. make pretty pets if their scent-bags are re- the bottom, where we found an opening just Trainer had injured her ankle, we all felt moved early, Didymusa alighted as the large enough to crawl through one by one that our pains were amply rewarded. After mother cat disappeared down the canyon on our hands and knees, Buffalo Dick hav- supper and a long rest we drove back to with onekitten in her mouth. The rest ran ing gone first and struck a light. Then we Fort Territt with a brilliant moon to light towards Didymusa, who secured a pair in were within the cave itself, all carrying the rough road, and during the evening the luncheon basket, while heedless of all candles, which we deposited at intervals 'Mrs. Trainer sang to the accompaniment remonstrances, she returned for two more. and lighted others. Descending gradually of her own guitar, her elder son surprising But the smell was so overpowering we were amongst piles of broken rock and sharp us with the music he produced from a forced to leave the kittens behind. boulders for several hundred feet, we came French harp, whilstJohn, the Chinese cook, Didymusa's gloves had to be burned, as also to the main chamber of the cave, at between after considerable persuasion, gave us a the famous luncheon basket, which no thirty and forty yards below the surface of couple of songs, which were amusing if they amount of washing and scrubbing could the earth. Throwing the light upwards, the did not tend to edification. In the morning make agreeable. To this day, however, roof appeared at least fifty feet above our we saw some freight waggons unpacked Didymusa insists that the kittens were heads. On some places the stalagmites were and their contents placed in the fine store "sweet little things," and wishes she had so sharp that became difficult to walk over attached to the ranch, also visiting the forge, kept them! them. There were no traces of fossils, and Dandy having cast a shoe. Afterwards there this enormous calcareous formation had was a pleasant rowan the river to the head probably never been entered by man or beast of the North Llano, where the pecan trees or reptile until Buffalo Dick penetrated to are a sight to see. its recesses a short time before our visit. The weather was sultry and on the day • Continuing our way we came across an fixed for our return threatened a storm, but almost perfect representation of a grave- we disregarded the warning of our friends yard, with white tombstones below, and and the elements, and Dandy was lead up above beautiful representations of a coral behind the waggon so that I might ride a island twenty feet square. Wonderful snowy part of the way with the Trainers. branches of stalactites and stalagmites The distance to Junction City was about

106 THe TEXAS CAVEk ..------~l

JULY/AUGUSTZOOO ~ LOST CAVES OF TEXAS Culberson County Butch Fralia In the TSS electronic database, there are 4711 records of Texas caves and karst features. Only 2213 have complete location data consisting of the USGS Quadrangle map where the cave occurs and UTM coordinates. Of the remaining records 933 have quadrangle data without a location and 1580 are missing even the USGS Quadrangle. For 1580 caves or karst features that lie in some county even the approximate 'where' is a mystery. This is one of a series of articles to identify the lost caves and karst features of Texas. The TSS asks that Texas cavers help find the lost caves. Below is teh list of the Lost Caves of Culberson Connty. Location data can consist of a marked up topographic map, GPS data or whatever help you can provide. If you have other data on the cave or karst feature we'll take that also. For instance, the caves listed could be duplicates of other records. Any and all information is appreciated. Why is this information important? Considering the nature of cavers, they gain access in a particular area and explore there for a while. Boredom sets in or access is lost. In twenty years or so, cavers return to an area and don't know if they've discovered a new cave or rediscovered a known cave. By maintaining the database, that information will be known! If you have information about any of these caves, please contact Butch Fralia 3412 Walton Ave., Ft. Worth, TX 76133-2230, of [email protected] Alabaster Vein Cave Granado Cave Resurrection Pit Antelope Cave Grass Cave Ripple Cave Apache Mask Cave Grass Pit River Cave Bear Cave Gyp Hill Cave Roscoe Cave Berry Bush Cave Gypsite Nebula Sayles Ranch Gypsum Cave Big Crevasse Cave Gypsite Sink Selenite Cave Big Rattlesnake Cave Hegler Goat Cave Selenite Sink Cave ". ig Shelter Cave (name uncertain) Hidden Sink Cave Selenite Slit • ig Tree Gypsite Cave Hillside Fissure Shady Caverns Bird Nest Fissure Hole "A" Fissure Shifting Fissure Bloys Pit Hunter Peak Cave Smith Cave (Culberson) Border Flats Gypsum Fissure System Indistinct Sink South Gully Cave Breakdown Sink It Ends Cave Spiral Cave Bugtussle Tumble K Krack Sublime Depression Cave Bush-Filled Cave Lime Hill Cave Sulphur Mine Cave Cateye Crawl Linear Fissure Sulphuretted Hydrogen Cave Cave Tank Cave Little Crevasse Surprise Sink Centipede Cave Little Dillahunty Cave Toadstool Cave Centipede Cave Little Gypsite Sink Two-Contour Sink Cave Climax Cave Lookout Cave Two-Holer Collapsing Rubble Cave Lookout Shelter UlkCave Collier's Cave Marcia's Cave Unnamed Cave Corkscrew Cave McKittrick Canyon Cave Wasp Cave Crystal Crawl Meander Scar Fissure Cave No. I Wilbanks Pit Curtain Crawl Mosquito Pit Willow Spring David's Cave Mystery Light Cave Windy Cave Dead Cow Skeleton Fissure N.S. Pit Xeric Breakdown Cave Dead Rabbit Cave New Cave Dead Tree Cave New Moon Cave Deep Enough Cave Olive's Cave Deu Sinkhole Over Cutoff Cave Dillahunty Swallow Cave Owl Pellet Cave ~illahunty Swallow Cave Pine Canyon Flea Cave \~irt Cave Pine Shelter Dirt Sink Porcupine Cave Don't Be Ridiculous Cave Primeval Ooze Cave Dragonfly Pit Quarryman's Cave Flycatcher Cave Quill Cave Gnarled Tree Cave Rabbit Cave

107 THIo TEXAS CAVER JULY/AUGUST 2000 TSA NEWS , TSA Spring Convention The 2000 TSA Spring Convention took place May 6-7, at the John Knox Folks who made things happen: Ranch near Wimberley. A record 160 Wayne Bockelmen - Convention Chair people enjoyed numerous high-qual- Bonnie Longley - Pre-registration ity presentations the excellent salons, Donna Mossesman - On-site Registration and a great banquet. Thanks to the Tommy Joe - Excellent Food Greater Houston Grotto for sponsor- Kevin McGowan - Photography Salon & Judge ing the most successful Spring Con- Pete Lindsley - Photo Judge vention ever. Jim Kennedy - Cartography Salon Orion Knox, Bob Richards - Cartography Judges Dan Hogenauer - Auctioneer Pete Strickland - Hot tub TSA PHOTOGRAPHY SALON WINNERS 2000 Joe Rauzau - Dunking Booth Print Salon Felicia Vreeland - 50:50 Raffle I" Bob Richards Hidden River Aaron Addisou - Speakers 2"" Wayne Bockelman Mary Rides the Sun Beam Terry Holsinger - TSA Vice-Chair & Puppysitter 3,d Bob Richards Caving in the Canyon HM Bob Richards Caving in Paradise HM Paulette Embody Reflection, CWAN Slide Salon I" Charley Savvas Jelly Cave 2 nd Charley Savvas La Puente 3,d Bob Richards Kickapoo Caverns HM Bob Richards Milk Drop in Breezeway HM Chris Vreeland Cueva Tres Luces Best of Show Charley Savvas Jelly Cave

Thanks to the following for donations: Salon Prizes Bexar Grotto TSA CARTOGRAPHY SALON WINNERS 2000 Moore Archaeological Consulting New Cartographers Gonzo Guano Gear 1" Chris Vreeland Ray Ranch Cave Houston Grotto Inner Mountain Outfitters HM Andy Gluesenkamp Horseshoe Crevice Cave Kevin McGowan Photography Traditional Cartography (Caves less than 100m) UTGrotto I~' Jerry Fant Hackberry Sink Caves Auction Items HM Jerry Fant Ricotta Razor Rift Cave Aaron Addison Batik Shirt HM Jerry Fant Sotano de Bonito Jerry Atkinson Flash Bulbs Traditional Cartography (Caves more than 100m) Bexar Grotto Plastic .r ustrite I" Nancy Pistole Cueva de Rey Marcos Andy Glusenkamp LEDs 2'" Nancy Pistole Cueva del Rio Rojca Pemech Rod Goke CBs, Towing Stuff Computer Cartography Gonzo Guano Gear Furry Bra 1" Kevin Stafford Sistema Manicomio Parallelo de Satanas Dan Hogenhauer Some Weird Old Stuff 2"d Kevin Stafford Caves uear Santa Marta de Arriba Orion Knox Large Map of NBC Ed Goff Gruta deITarillal Bonnie Longley BMS Long Rack 3,d Dave McClurg Knee & Elbow Pads Best of'Show Whole Earth Camp Chairs Kevin Stafford Sistema Manicomio Parallelo de Satanas Special thanks to: Look for Jim Kennedy's report on Cart Salons in next month's Whole Earth A hundred $10 coupons Caver.

108 THF; TEXAS CAVER JULY/AUGUST2000 Spring Convention Presentations GEOLOGY An Overview ofthe Balcones Fault Zone Section ofthe Edwards Aquifer - Geary Schindel. This talk discusses the karst hydrology of the Edwards Aquifer and new research initiatives by the Edwards Aquifer Authority. The EAA's Optimization Technical Studies outlines 17 studies to be performed over the next six years with a budget of around $8 million. INTERNATIONAL CAVING Sacred Caves in Central Mexico - Allan Cobb. To the ancient Mesoamericans, caves were sacred places reserved for rituals. Even today, ceremonies still take place in caves. In Puebla, Mexico, a 16th Century map shows the location of many important caves. A reconnaissance with the map has led to interesting finds and set the groundwork for an archaeological project. Caving in Belize with the National Geographic Society - Jean Krejca. Karst Paradise: Caving in Thailand- Troy Shelton. Troy talks about his recent trip to Thailand. He visited several National Parks with extensive caves and other karst features. The program will focus on the caves of Era wan and Sai Yak National Parks, located in the mountains that form the western border with Mynamar (Burma), FUN Charlie Loving. This all-cartoon presentation is unlike any other. You've seen the cartoons in caving publications, now hear them speak. A silly look at anal-retentives who do all sorts of precise measuring, as well as others. Anyone taking himselftoo seriously is fair game. 3-D Caving Slide Show - Dorothy Mladenka. Come and wear some funky glasses! See a 3- Dimensional slide show in living color of caves located in Idaho, New Mexico andArizon-plus slides ofTSA from the past HIsTORY Caving in the 1960~ & 1970 ~-Pete Lindsley. Pete started caving in 1960 in centralTexas. The slide-lecture will emphasize Texas caves and cavers of this time period. The first work at Powells and Laubach Caves will be featured. Early visits to the Guadalupe Mountains in New Mexico will also be included. Early Exploration at Natural Bridge Caverns - Jan & Orion Knox. A brief history of the discovery and exploration of the North Cavern portion of Natural Bridge Caverns will be presented. Other portions of the cave will be shown set to music TECHNIQUES Creating A Successful Computer Generated Cave Map - Bob Richards. As home computer hardware and software becomes cheaper and easier to use, graphics software is replacing the manual cartography methods used by cavers in the past. Understanding how to set-up and execute using these tools is essential in creating a successful computer generated map. LED Cave Lights - Aaron Addison. Simple cost effective white LED lights can be constructed by the average caver. Come find out what it takes and how easy it is to build your own LED light for caving. Topics will include everything from maglights to Petzl headlamps. CAVE SURVEYS AND MANAGEMENT Restoration Techniques at the Palucidar Area ofLechuguilia Cave -Aimee Beveridge. The objectives of this project were to stop the flow of corrosion residue and particles from migrating down the drop, cleaning the residue offflowstone areas, and cleaning all the pools to protect a pool containing rare subaqueous helectites. This talk will focus of the variety and effectiveness of the techniques used. Hays County Survey - Jerry Fant. The Hays County Survey is underway and strong. With a long history of caving by various groups we now have a total of 217 caves and more being found weekly. Hear what is happening and what needs to be accomplished. Government Canyon Karst Survey Project - Marvin Miller. This brief presentation is an update on what's been going on with the project for the past year. The Southeastern Cave Conservancy - Cave Management through Ownership - Geary Schindel. The SCC, Inc., based in Atlanta, Georgia, has been actively buying and leasing caves in the southeast and currently manages over 30 caves on more than 700 acres. The SCCI philosophy has been to conserve caves by ownership when possible, or by leasing. Caves have been obtained by donation, direct purchase, and even at auction. KEYNOTEADDR"" Cave Potential in Texas - George veni 109 THE TEXAS CAVER JULY/AUGUST2000 TSA NEWS 'Th1 TSA Spring Business Meeting Robin Barber TSA Spring Meeting - May 7, 2000 TSA PRO.IllCTS WEBSITE:Annmarie Milkowski reports that The minutes from the Del Rio meeting, BUSTAMANTE: Orion Knox reported that the Bill Bentley is currently paying for the TSA January 23, 2000, were accepted as town of Bustamante will furnish materials website now - TSA needs to make money published in The Caver for constructing trails, and the town will to pay for it. Annmarie has been looking CHAIRMAN'S REPORT: Aaron Addison make up any difference in cost. This year's into affiliate programs with Amazon or extended thanks to the Greater Houston tasks: trash and graffiti removal, new stairs Barnes and Noble. TSA would get a Grotto. This was the best TSA Spring and boardwalks, fences to keep people on- percentage of profits if books are bought Convention ever, and TSA is getting back trail in the cave, trail improvements from by those coming from a link on OUf website. on track. We need to continue working on the parking area to the cave. Annmarie is making better order form for producing cavers and getting people into This year's project will Labor Day weekend. the TSA online bookstore, optimizing the TSA. A pre-registration form will be on the web. photos, and generally cleaning the website. VICE-CHAIRMAN'S REPORT: Terry Holsinger CBSP: Terry announced the last trip of The Mexico info will be cut down or moved reported a profitable Spring Convention. season, and that the project will start again to other sites. SECRETARY'S REPORT: Robin Ba.rber had in October. Everything is still going well. The suggestion was made to start having nothing significant to report. WEST TEXAS: Aaron reported a resurgence meetings online in the future. TREASURER'S REPORT: Aimee Beverage of caving west of Sonora. Contact Aaron CONSTITUTION COMMITTEE: There is reported that TSA has changed banks so for more information. confusion regarding the constitution, which there are no account fees anymore. Logan MEMUERSHIP COMMITI'EE: Aimee reported was published in 199 J. Proposed versions McNatt also has access. on behalf of David Turner. She is learning have been published since then, but none The Bexar grotto donation ($368) was not to update the database. of these have been approved. The deposited, and the UT grotto donation Postcards will be sent to people who are/ constitution needs to be reviewed, revise ($219) was never received. (These were expiring. .if necessary, and published. Cathy Winfrey donations will fund publications.) The Illation to use e-mail for notification is the head of the constitution committee. The current balance is $2490 (before the was denied since these change so much. There was discussion about the TSA .spr ing convention receipts). Aimee TSA membership can be renewed any time cautioned to be careful how money is spent of the year - not just at TCR. becoming nonprofit: We could solicit in the future. We now have money to invest. The TSA continues to work on public deductible donations. The major Becky stated that the first priority is to have awareness that TCR is separate from TSA. disadvantages are the constitutional publishing costs covered ($2400). Grottos should send an updated contact lists changes and additional bookkeeping. Curtis is doing well on keeping newsletter to Aimee. CONSERVATION COMl\1lTTEE: Joe Ranzau is

expenses down. SAFETY AND RESCUE COMMITTEE: Joe Ivy the chair. He, Aimee, and Melanie Outstanding expenses include Bustamante, volunteered as chair. Alspaugh will develop a list of possible TSA land fund, and convention expenses. He will update resource lists. There will be restorers and look into education projects. EDITOR'S REPORT: Rebecca Jones reported no TSA rescue team. The next TSA meeting will take place that the delinquent 1997 issues of The TSA BOOKSTORE:Logan McNatt reported October 22, at TCR. Caver are done and are available for $3 each convention sales of $315. There's lots of if you weren't a member then. stock; inventory available on the web. Curtis and Russ are doing good work on TSA CONVENTION:Terry said 161 people Interested in advertising the ANL. The new booklet format is well- attended this year. We made a profit. in TSA Publications? received. GHG will write up a report on the spring John Ganter has revised his mapping book, convention, including instructions and which has been out-of-print for years. recommendations for the future. Space is now available in Aaron Addison may produce a booklet on KENDALLCOUNTY:Mike Walsh reported The TexasCaver and The making LED lights. that there was a meeting of J 2-13 people to TSA ActiVities Newsletter. The Member's Manual should be printed work out the details of the project, but they next year. The list needs to be updated and are still in the gathering stage. Previous published somewhere other than on the officers who were not present are consid- Details on the TSA web page: web. An electronic copy can be obtained by ered no longer interested. www.texascavers.com/tsa request. TEXASCAVERPROJECT: Mike Moore to put Advertising rates for the Caver and ANL old Cavers on CD. Indexing is currently will be posted on the website. There will be the big issue. For further information please no effort to solicit advertising. contact the Editors.

110 THE TEXAS CAVER JULYIAUGUST2000

GROTTO REPORTS

BEXAR GROTTO - Joe Mitchell session on the cliffs at the canyon. On an- to 80 feet before sumping out. There were BCI sent a big "Thank You" to the other trip Marvin, Andrew Gayley, Charles some nice formations. Bexar Grotto for the major clean-up at Miller, and all four Herzigs went to Martas Michael Cunningham announced that Bracken Bat Cave in March. Rocks were Cave to push new passage. anyone who wants to dig can go to the dug out of the ground and placed around Aaron Addison reported that he and Pfeiffer Ranch and help on the third Mon- the trees and a lot of other work was com- Terry Holsinger did some mining though day of every month. pleted. More recently, rocks were piled un- the TSS files and found reports of Water James Loftin took a group to Logans der the fence to keep out the goats. To date, Cave from the 19505, and over 100 leads Cave. Attending were Christi Bennett, there are 247 volunteer hours for the year. in Culberson County. They surveyed 1000 Mike Cunningham, Donnie Roland, and Carl Ponebshek reported that the Bexar feet in a cave in Crockett County with tre- Allen Wong. They had a great trip. James Grotto is asked to run registration at t'cR, mendous airflow. The old survey showed needed assistance when he was stuck. at Flat Creek Ranch. Members agreed; only 200 to 300 feet long and 45 feet deep. Mike Cunningham reported that he, Government Canyon: Bruce Watson Joe Ranzau reported that they went to Christi Bennett, Mike Burrell, and a group reported that his group relocated Little Bear Creek Ranch in Kendall County that of Aggies went up the stream passage at Rock Cave, which needs to be reopened. has a running stream passage in it. There Cave Without A Name. At the waterfall, Marvin Miller's team went ridgewalking and were two caves, one that you could walk in the Aggies turned back, though Christi and came across a lost feature and two caves in and one that was a pit. Mike Burrell re- the Mikes continued up into the mud crawl. Area 8. One of the caves was named Cueva ported that he went into the pit cave, where The Grotto agreed to maintain the $5 del Chupacabra because of the goat skulls. there was a deer carcass, garbage, and a annual dues. Meeting programs were given Some rock will need to be shaved to get into dog skull. They crawled through two-foot by Geary Schindel (Caves of Australia and the second cave, Dancing Fern Cave. About deep ooze of sewer-like muck that smelled New Zealand) and George Yeni (Chiquibul 20 people attenede a good vertical training bad. The flowing stream passage went 70 Cave System in Belize).

THE TEXAS SPELEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION & The TEXAS CAVER

Regular Membership $27 Name The Texas Caver The TSA Activities Newsletter Street

Family Membership: $35 City, St~IC. Zip Two Votes One Set of Publications Heme Phone Work Phone

TSA P. O. Box 8026

Austin, TX 78713 Grono/Aff'illimicn

All cavers are inviled to submit articles, trip reports, pictures, maps, cartoons, poetry, evenls, etc. Material should be cave-related and pertinent to the Texas caving community. The Texas Caver is published bi-monthly. The deadline for submissions is the end of even-numbered months.

The editors will confirm receipt of material, review submissions, and return comments as necessary before publication. Slides, negalives, photos, art, and maps will be scanned as quickly as possible and then relurned promptly.

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For further information on submission or style quidelines, please contact the editors: Joe Ivy & Rebecca Jones ' 11916 Bluebonnet, Manchaca, TX 78652 512-292-1878

III THE TEXAS CAVER